Two men sitting to right, one man is smoking, five men standing in center, the bow of a ship on shore to right, two other ships to left in the background, from 'Set of eight nautical landscapes' (Suite de huit Marines)

Art Historical Context

Stefano della Bella’s 9 etching “Two men sitting to right, one man is smoking, five men standing in center, the bow of a ship on shore to right, two other ships to left in the background” belongs to his “Suite de huit Marines,” a series of eight nautical landscapes that capture the lively activity along 17th-century European shores. Created in the Baroque era, the print reflects the growing fascination with maritime trade and exploration, presenting a casual yet vivid scene of sailors and onlookers gathered near beached vessels. As an etching, the work demonstrates della Bella’s mastery of fi...

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...