Plate 1: The Entrance of the Polish Ambassador into Rome, the Medici coat of arms at left 1633

Stefano della Bella created this print, "The Entrance of the Polish Ambassador into Rome," sometime in the mid-17th century, using etching. Etching is an indirect process, meaning the artist doesn't directly incise the plate. Instead, a metal plate is coated with a waxy ground, and the artist draws through it with a needle, exposing the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The longer the plate remains in the acid, the deeper the lines. In this particular print, it is fascinating to consider the labour involved, not just in its making, but in the event it depicts. The print immortalizes a moment of political theatre, a grand entrance intended to impress. The procession is meticulously detailed, conveying the opulence and power of both the Polish ambassador and the Medici family, whose coat of arms is prominently displayed. Ultimately, this print prompts reflection on the relationship between art, labor, and social status in the 17th century. It challenges our understanding of art by demonstrating how printmaking can immortalize ephemeral events.