Venus, from 'Game of Mythology' (Jeu de la Mythologie) 1644

Stefano della Bella created this print of Venus as part of 'Game of Mythology' in the 17th century, using etching on paper. Etching is an indirect process involving corrosive fluids or vapours to produce an image on a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Consider the labor involved here: the careful application of a resist, the acid biting into the metal, the controlled inking and printing process. Della Bella would have relied on skilled artisans to produce the paper and inks to execute the print. The very nature of etching, with its fine lines and delicate gradations, lends itself well to capturing the ethereal beauty of Venus, the goddess of love. The print is small, designed for intimate viewing, perhaps even as a collectible item among the elite. It speaks to a world of skilled craftsmanship, patronage, and the dissemination of classical ideals through printed media. By understanding the materials and processes behind this print, we gain a deeper appreciation for the world of artistic production in the 17th century, and question the hierarchies that separate 'high art' from the craft traditions that made it possible.