Plate 1: a monument with statues and a coat of arms in the center, a draughstman on the ground beneath a tree to right, two groups of lovers to left in the background, from 'Various landscapes' (Divers paysages) 1636 - 1646

Stefano della Bella created this print, ‘Plate 1: from Various Landscapes’, in the mid-17th century. The image presents us with an idealized vision of nature, carefully arranged with classical monuments and aristocratic figures. Della Bella worked in Florence and Paris, and this print reflects the cultural values of the French court. Note the monument in the center, dedicated to Louis de Bourbon, Duke of Anguien, who was an important military leader and member of the royal family. Monuments like this weren't just for decoration; they were tools of power, designed to legitimize the status of the aristocracy. The coat of arms, statues, and even the carefully arranged landscape, all speak to the Duke's power and authority. By studying the patronage of artists like Della Bella, and tracing the social networks in which they operated, we can gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between art, power, and society in early modern Europe.