Here we have a large rare engraving on heavy laid paper by Stefano Della Bella (1610-1664) entitled 'Le Reposoir du Saint Sacrament." The old master print is a later issue created around 1648, as evidence by the address of Van Westerhout in Rome (see pic). The detailed image is of the celebration of Corpus Christi Day in the court of the Palais Royale in Paris.
On the reverse, there is a partial inscription from 1796, which I assume was written by the owner of the Della Bella print at that time. The art print was found in a large stack of old European engravings.
Here's a brief biography of the artist courtesy of Wikipedia:
Stefano della Bella (18 May 1610 – 12 July 1664) was an Italian draughtsman and printmaker known for etchings of a great variety of subjects, including military and court scenes, landscapes, and lively genre scenes. He left 1052 prints, and several thousand drawings, but only one known painting.
He was born at Florence to a family of artists, and was apprenticed to a goldsmith, but became an engraver working briefly under Orazio Vanni and then Cesare Dandini. He studied etching under Remigio Cantagallina, who had also been the instructor of Jacques Callot, who had lived in Florence 1612-1621, and his early prints are very similar to those of Callot. The patronage of the Medicis enabled della Bella to live and study for six years in Rome, living in the Medici palace, and producing vedute and drawings of antiquities as well as crowded images of public occasions in a series of sketchbooks, many of which were later turned into prints. He also made trips to Florence to record and assist the court festivities of the Medici. In this period his style developed from Mannerist to Baroque.
The early engraving measures 18.5" x 13". There is a vertical fold mark in the middle of the print. There is some slight stains on the front and reverse. The corner edges are curving in. There is a slight curve on both the right and left edges. There is small tear along the upper right edge. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.
I ship to the continental USA only. Free shipping with this piece.
This is a rare, amazing European engraving with tremendous detail. And it's over 350 years old. Don't miss out.
