Grotto scene with Vulcan, from 'The marriage of the gods' (Le nozze degli Dei) by Stefano della Bella

Grotto scene with Vulcan, from 'The marriage of the gods' (Le nozze degli Dei) 1637

drawing, print

drawing

pen drawing

mechanical pen drawing

print

pen illustration

pen sketch

personal sketchbook

ink drawing experimentation

pen-ink sketch

pen work

sketchbook drawing

sketchbook art

Stefano della Bella's etching "Grotto scene with Vulcan, from 'The Marriage of the Gods' (Le nozze degli Dei)" (1637) depicts a stage set design for the opera, showcasing the scene of Vulcan’s grotto. The print captures the dramatic entrance of Vulcan's cave, flanked by towering cliffs and a sky filled with figures. This drawing, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, is a testament to della Bella’s talent in capturing the theatrical and fantastical elements of a stage production through his detailed, delicate lines.