Frieze with a Triton and Mermaid holding up a Shell, Title page from: 'Decorative friezes and foliage' (Ornamenti di fregi e fogliami) 1645 - 1650

Stefano della Bella created this title page for a collection of decorative friezes in the 17th century. The print teems with life, as a dynamic scene unfolds in the sea, with tritons, mermaids, and various sea creatures populating the scene. Consider how the mythical figures of the triton and mermaid straddle the boundaries of human and animal, male and female. In early modern Europe, such figures were potent symbols of transformation and the fluidity of identity. Della Bella made this print during a time when European societies were expanding their reach across the globe, encountering new cultures and challenging existing notions of identity. The artist's delicate lines and intricate details evoke a sense of wonder and fantasy. The work invites us to reflect on the human relationship with the natural world and the power of imagination to transform our understanding of ourselves and others.