Diana, from 'Game of Mythology' (Jeu de la Mythologie) 1644

This is Stefano della Bella's "Diana, from 'Game of Mythology,'" a delicate etching, rendered with precise lines that belie the dense forest scene. The goddess Diana is central; she is presented with a striking contrast of light and shadow achieved through fine, hatched lines. The composition is structured around a dynamic interplay between foreground and background. Notice how the detailed foliage and the figures of Diana and her dogs are sharply defined, drawing our eye to the narrative unfolding in the immediate space. The backdrop, sketched with a lighter touch, suggests depth and distance. Bella's formal choices evoke a sense of both intimacy and grandeur. The meticulous detail invites close inspection, revealing the artist's mastery of the etching technique, while the expansive landscape situates the goddess within a vast mythological domain. Ultimately, the print engages us in a dialogue between control and freedom, stillness and motion.