Dogs, plate 11 from "Various Animals" (Diversi Animali)

Art Historical Context

Stefano della Bella, a prominent 17th-century Italian etcher active in Florence and Paris, created this lively etching *Dogs, plate 11 from "Various" (Diversi Animali)* 1641. Part of a charming series depicting a menagerie of beasts, this small plate (just over 3 by 4 inches) captures alert dogs in dynamic poses, showcasing della Bella's mastery of intricate line work and spirited animal studies. His Baroque style infuses the scene with energy and realism, reflecting the era's fascination with nature's vitality amid grand artistic patronage. As a third-state etching—the final version refined by master printer Adam von Bartsch's catalog (De Vesme)—it highlights della Bella's technical prowess. Etching allowed for fine, expressive lines that convey fur texture, muscle tension, and attentive gazes, making these pocket-sized prints accessible yet sophisticated collectibles for Europe's elite. Produced during della Bella's prolific mid-career phase, the series blended scientific observation with artistic flair, influencing later animalier artists. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (purchased via the Joseph Pulitzer Bequest in 1917), this work invites visitors to appreciate how 17th-century printmaking democratized art, turning everyday companions like dogs—symbols of loyalty and the hunt—into timeless icons of Baroque whimsy.

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...