Dalmatie, from "Jeu de la Géographie" 1644

Stefano della Bella made this print, Dalmatie, around the mid-17th century, as part of a series of playing cards called Jeu de la Géographie. It was made through etching, a printmaking technique that involves using acid to cut lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The starkness of the etched line gives the image a crisp, informative feel – appropriate for a playing card intended to convey geographical information about the Dalmatia region. Della Bella’s choice of etching speaks to the growing print culture of the 17th century and the increasing demand for accessible and reproducible images. Consider the labor involved, too. From the metalworker who prepared the plate, to della Bella’s skilled hand, to the printer, each impression represents a chain of coordinated effort, meant for dissemination and exchange in the growing market for information and leisure. Ultimately, Dalmatie demonstrates how printmaking democratized knowledge and art.