Isabeau de Bauieres 1620 - 1664

This etching by Stefano della Bella, titled "Isabeau de Bauieres," depicts Isabeau of Bavaria, Queen of France, standing in profile, her arms crossed in front of her. The etching is one of a series of prints featuring historical figures and it is characterized by its delicate lines and expressive details. The inscription below the image identifies Isabeau as the wife of Charles VI of France, a "mère dénaturée," who sought to exclude her son Charles VII from the French throne. The etching is a powerful image of a woman in a position of power, and it is a reminder of the complexities of history. The print is now located in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.