Pan et Syrinx

Art Historical Context

This etching titled *Pan et Syrinx*, created in 1644 by Stefano della Bella, captures a moment from classical mythology featuring the god Pan. Produced as a print in its first state, the work exemplifies the delicate line work and dynamic composition typical of Baroque etching techniques. Della Bella, an accomplished Italian printmaker, brought intricate detail to mythological subjects, allowing the scene to unfold with both energy and elegance on the copper plate. The print’s associations with Jean Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin, publisher Henri Le Gras, and figures such as the young Louis XIV and Cardinal Jules Mazarin point to its place within French courtly culture of the mid-seventeenth century. Etchings like this one often served as book illustrations or independent collector’s pieces, circulating stories from antiquity among educated audiences. The medium’s ability to produce multiple impressions made such imagery widely accessible while still appealing to royal and aristocratic patrons. Today, this impression resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, acquired through the generous gift of Robert Hartshorne in 1918. It offers visitors a glimpse into the enduring fascination with mythological narratives and the refined artistry of seventeenth-century printmaking.

About the Artist

Stefano della Bella|Jean Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin|Henri Le Gras|Louis XIV, King of France|Cardinal Jules Mazarin · 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...