Satyr family walking towards the left with two goats and a basket of grapes 1652 - 1662

Stefano della Bella created this etching of a Satyr family in the mid-17th century. It depicts a mythical scene, but it also reflects the social and cultural values of its time. The image presents a family unit in harmony with nature. The satyrs, creatures of the wild, are idealized, their wildness tamed by the responsibilities of family life. Della Bella was working in Florence and Rome at a time when the Catholic Church and the aristocratic elite were major patrons of the arts, institutions with a strong interest in promoting family values. This work, in its own way, reinforces the idea of a stable, ordered society. The visual codes are telling: the lush landscape, the abundance of grapes, and the serene expressions on the satyrs' faces all suggest a world of plenty and contentment. Art historians consult a variety of sources – from period literature to economic data – to better understand the original context in which an artwork like this was made and consumed. By situating art in its institutional and social context, we can better understand its role in shaping cultural values.