Vrouw uit Sicilië 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella created this etching of a Sicilian woman in the mid-17th century. It reflects the period's fascination with cataloging and classifying different peoples and places. The image presents Sicily through the lens of its female personification, a figure adorned with a feathered helmet, holding a shield bearing heraldic symbols. This artistic choice reveals the cultural codes of the time, where places were often represented by female figures embodying their perceived characteristics. Della Bella made this print in France, and the French text reinforces its creation within a specific European, courtly context. The text lists major Sicilian cities and other Mediterranean islands, reflecting an effort to map and understand the region. As historians, we can delve deeper by researching Della Bella’s patrons, the circulation of such prints, and the contemporary understanding of Sicily. Such investigation reveals how art is shaped by cultural, political, and institutional forces.