Cartouche with Skeletons 1647

Stefano della Bella's 1647 etching, *Cartouche with Skeletons*, depicts an oval frame with a draped cloth in the center. The frame is formed by two skeletal figures emerging from branches of a tree, symbolizing death. The artwork likely served as a memento mori, reminding viewers of the inevitability of death and the ephemeral nature of life. The skeletal figures and the draped cloth, possibly a shroud, are rendered in detailed cross-hatching, creating a sense of depth and texture. This etching is a testament to della Bella's mastery of the medium, reflecting the artistic trends of the Baroque period, where the contrast between life and death was often explored in art.