Six vases, and two sketches of vases on the extremities, Plate 5 from: 'Collection of Various Vases' (Raccolta di Vasi Diversi) 1650 - 1656

Stefano della Bella created this etching, "Six vases, and two sketches of vases," capturing the ornate designs popular in the 17th century. The vases, adorned with figures and foliage, speak to a fascination with classical forms and the natural world. Notice the recurring motif of the human figure integrated into the vase design. These small sculptures, intertwined with foliage, echo the ancient Greek and Roman tradition of incorporating human forms into architecture and decorative arts. Consider the caryatids of the Erechtheion, where female figures support the temple roof: Della Bella's vases similarly blend human and structural elements, hinting at a deeper, perhaps subconscious, desire to imbue objects with life and animation. The vase itself, from ancient amphorae to Renaissance urns, has always been a symbol of containment, of holding both the sacred and the profane. Della Bella's vases, brimming with life, become powerful symbols of transformation, reflecting our enduring connection to the past, continuously reshaping itself through time.