Mauritanie, from "Jeu de la Géographie" 1644

This is Stefano della Bella’s "Mauritanie, from Jeu de la Géographie", a line engraving on paper. Its formal structure is immediately striking; the figure is meticulously outlined with fine lines that define her form and clothing. The delicate hatching creates volume and texture, giving depth to the otherwise flat surface. The composition is divided into distinct zones: the figure above and text below, grounding the allegorical representation with geographical context. The figure herself is an artful construction. Her clothing with its soft draping, and accessories, are signifiers of place. Bella plays with contrasts, juxtaposing the figure's static pose with the implied movement of her garments. This interplay of stillness and motion destabilizes any fixed interpretation. The work challenges us to consider how cultural identities are constructed and perceived through visual signs. We should recognize that this image, while seemingly descriptive, is also a product of a specific cultural lens, inviting us to question the nature of representation itself.