Designs for Ornamental Motifs with Figures, Real and Imaginary Animals, and Coats of Arms of the Medici Grand Dukes 1625 - 1700

Stefano della Bella sketched these ornamental motifs with figures and animals, likely in the mid-17th century. Mythical sea creatures and cherubic figures dominate the scene, reflecting the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity. Observe the recurring motif of the putto riding fantastic sea creatures. This echoes the ancient Greco-Roman imagery of deities and mythical figures associated with the sea, symbolizing dominion over the natural world. This motif, deeply rooted in antiquity, surfaces again and again throughout the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Consider how the image of a child is paired with powerful and untamed animals. This pairing is a potent symbol, one that transcends cultures and eras. It evokes a sense of innocence taming the wild, of harmony between humanity and nature. The dolphins, symbols of salvation and transformation, further enrich the artwork's symbolic vocabulary, revealing the enduring power of images to communicate across time.