Banquet of the Piacevoli, various men are seated at long tables around the perimeter of a large room, a man seated to the right giving a dog table scraps, curtains are draped around the image, Medici coat of arms at top center

Art Historical Context

Stefano della Bella's *Banquet of the Piace* (1627) captures a lively feast in a grand interior, etched with remarkable precision. Men crowd long tables lining the room's perimeter, chatting and dining amid ornate architecture. To the right, a seated shares scraps with a dog, adding a touch of everyday warmth to the opulent scene. Draped curtains frame the, while the Medici coat of arms the top center, linking this work to Florence's powerful ruling family. As a master etcher, della Bella—active in the Baroque era—excelled in intricate prints that evoke depth and bustle. Etching, using acid t...

About the Artist

Stefano della Bella · 1610–1664

Stefano della Bella (1610-1664) was one of the most prolific and versatile printmakers of the Italian Baroque period, leaving behind 1,052 prints and several thousand drawings that captured the vivid essence of 17th-century European life. Born in Florence on May 18, 1610, to a family of artists, he trained initially as a goldsmith before studying painting under Cesare Dandini and etching under Rem...