Actaeon 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella made this small etching of Actaeon on paper in the 17th century. The image illustrates the story of the hunter Actaeon, who stumbled upon the goddess Diana bathing and was punished by being turned into a stag and devoured by his own hounds. The print was made in France, where della Bella had been invited to work as a printmaker for the French court. The composition is packed with classical references, while the elegant, mannered figures reflect the taste of courtly art. The print is part of a series of playing cards, which may have been commissioned by a member of the French aristocracy. Playing cards were a popular form of entertainment in the 17th century, and they often featured allegorical or mythological scenes. Della Bella’s set of cards would have been a luxury item, intended for a sophisticated audience familiar with classical mythology and courtly culture. Prints and archival documents are invaluable resources for understanding the social and cultural context in which art is made.