Stefano della Bella

Stefano della Bella (18 May 1610 - 12 July 1664) was an Italian printmaker known for etchings of many subjects, including military ones.

He was born at Florence, and apprenticed initially to a goldsmith, but became an engraver working under Orazio Vanni and then Cesare Dandini [Ticozzi.] . He studied etching under Remigio Cantagallina, who had also been the instructor of Jacques Callot, who had lived in Florence 1612-1621, and whose prints imparted a strong influence to printmakers. The patronage of Don Lorenzo de Medici enabled della Bella to study for three years in Rome. In Rome, he created a then admired print of the cavalcade celebrating the entry of the Polish ambassador into Rome in 1633. He also created a number of prints of views of Rome. In 1642 he went to Paris, introduced by the Tuscan ambassador, Alessandro del Nero, and where he resided for seven years. Cardinal Richelieu engaged him to go to Arras and make drawings of the siege and taking of that town by the royal army. After residing a considerable time at Paris he returned to Florence, where he obtained a pension from the grand duke, whose son, Cosimo de Medici, he instructed in drawing. His productions were very numerous, amounting to over 1000 separate pieces.

He is known to have illustrated some discoveries for Galileo. See entry for Hansken for his etching of the famous elephant after death.

References

*cite book | first= Stefano| last= Ticozzi| year=1830| title= "Dizionario degli architetti, scultori, pittori, intagliatori in rame ed in pietra, coniatori di medaglie, musaicisti, niellatori, intarsiatori d’ogni etá e d’ogni nazione"' (Volume 1)| editor = | pages= page 133-4 | publisher=Gaetano Schiepatti; Digitized by Googlebooks, Jan 24, 2007 | id= | url= http://books.google.com/books?id=0ownAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA5&dq=Stefano+Ticozzi+Dizionario | authorlink=
*1911

External links

* [http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/search.aspx?advanced=colProProductionMakers%3a%22Bella%2c+Stefano+della%22 Works by Stefano della Bella at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]

Persondata
NAME= Della Bella, Stefano
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= engraver, printmaker
DATE OF BIRTH= 18 May, 1610
PLACE OF BIRTH= Italy
DATE OF DEATH= 12 July, 1664
PLACE OF DEATH= Italy