Bacchus c. 17th century

Stefano della Bella's "Bacchus" (c. 17th century) is a masterful etching that depicts the Roman god of wine and revelry. The composition shows Bacchus standing with his panther, in a landscape setting. The etching is characterized by Della Bella's delicate lines and detailed rendering, giving the work a sense of both strength and grace. This small-scale work, created during the Italian Baroque era, exemplifies della Bella's masterful use of etching, a technique he was famous for.