Five studies of hands, plate 5 from "I principii del disegno" (The Principles of Design), c. 1641
Etchingexpand_more
Gift of James A. Bergquist in loving memory of Richard L. Hillstromexpand_more 2016.62.5
Not on Viewexpand_more
The accomplished Florentine etcher and draftsman Stefano della Bella produced this drawing manual in France, where he spent over a decade of his career. The book, now disassembled, comprised 25 etchings and was published by della Bella’s principal French publisher Pierre Mariette.
Drawing manuals were common teaching tools for artists and amateurs learning to draw in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is a kind of pattern book for the aspiring draftsmen to copy, with concise prints depicting body parts—ears, eyes, hands, feet—and a range of head studies and figure types—children, adolescents, young women, old soldiers and saints—which provide models for students seeking to master the representation of the human body.
Details
- Title
- Five studies of hands, plate 5 from "I principii del disegno" (The Principles of Design)
- Artist Life
- Italian (Florence), 1610–1664
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2016.62.5
- Provenance
- Augusto Calabi (born 1890), Milan; 'by descent to Lorenzo Calabi, Milan; [James Bergquist, Newton, Mass., until 2016; given to Mia]
- Catalogue Raisonne
- De Vesme 368, i/ii
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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