Plate 18: a noblewoman walking towards the left with a feathered fan, another woman in background to left, from 'Diversi capricci' 1639 - 1649

Stefano della Bella made this print of a noblewoman with etching sometime in the mid-17th century. It comes from a series called ‘Diversi capricci’, meaning different caprices or fantasies. The image is full of visual codes that speak to the fashion and social status of the time. Etchings like this one, produced in Italy and France, circulated among the elite and served as records of contemporary customs and manners. The noblewoman is shown in profile, which was a common way to depict royalty and aristocracy. Her elaborate dress and feathered fan indicate her wealth and status, while the presence of another woman in the background suggests she is attended by servants. But the print also hints at the role of the artist and the art market in shaping these representations. The inscription at the bottom indicates that the print was made "with privilege," meaning that the artist had secured the right to reproduce and sell the image. To understand this print fully, we need to consult a wide range of sources: fashion history, social history, and the history of printmaking, to see how it reflects the society of its time.