Stefano della Bella’s etchings, “Plate 4” and “Plate 5”, c1642

Stefano della Bella (1610–1664)

“Plate 4” (upper) and “Plate 5” (lower), c1642, from the series of 16 plates, “Figures Diverses et Caprices” (Various Figures and Caprices) (aka “Caprice faict par de la Bella et mis en lumiere par Israel Avec Privilege du Roy” [Caprice made by Bella and highlighted by Israel with royal privilege]), published by Israël Henriet (c1590–1661) in Paris.

Etchings on fine laid paper trimmed unevenly with a thread margin around the image borderline and backed with separate support sheets.

Size of sheet: (plate 4) 5.3 x 8 cm; (plate 5) 5.8 x 8.5 cm.

Inscribed on plate along lower edge: (plate 4) “4 […] Israel ex. cum privil. Reg.”; (plate 5) “5 […] Israel ex.”

State ii (of ii)

De Vesme/Massar 107 & 108 (Alexandre de Vesme & Phyllis D. Massar, 1971, “Stefano della Bella. Catalogue Raisonné”, New York, Collectors Editions, [Text] p. 69, cat. nos. 107 & 108, [Illus.] p. 37).

De Vesme/Massar offers the following descriptions of these prints (transl.):

(Plate 4) “A horseman on the march, heading to the right. further on, on the right, another rider and a man on foot.”

(Plate 5) “A soldier on horseback and another on foot, who follows him, are marching to the [right]. In the distance, we see soldiers, cattle and wagons.” (p. 69).

See also the British Museum’s descriptions of these prints:

(Plate 4) https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1871-0513-272;

(Plate 5) https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1871-0513-270.

Condition: well-printed, strong impressions, trimmed slightly unevenly close to the image borderlines and laid upon an archival support sheet of millennium quality washi paper. Both prints are in excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or foxing.

I am selling this pair of exquisite small etchings showing Della Bella’s skill and imagination to create a vast sweeping landscape with mounted horsemen, for AU$486 in total for the pair (currently US$369.78/EUR308.84/GBP270.34 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this visually arresting pair of etchings by one of the most famous of the old master printmakers, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

These prints have been sold