A ship disembarking to left, two galley slaves stand and one sits next to a barrel to right, various other figures on the shore, a mountain to right in the background, from 'Varie figure' 1640 - 1650

This etching was made by Stefano della Bella, a master printmaker from Florence, Italy, in the mid-17th century. He used a metal plate, likely copper, and a sharp tool called a burin to incise lines into its surface, creating this scene. Della Bella was a specialist in recording the life of his time. This work depicts a ship possibly arriving at port, and the figures around it reveal social hierarchies of the period. The artist's meticulous technique allows us to discern the textures of the wooden ship, the clothing of the figures, and even the rough surface of the barrels on the shore. Look closely and you can see galley slaves, to the right, their presence a stark reminder of the labor and exploitation that underpinned maritime trade in the 17th century. The artist's skill in capturing these details elevates this print beyond a mere depiction of a scene. By focusing on the material realities of labor, trade, and social hierarchy, della Bella prompts us to consider the complex relationship between art, craft, and the world around us.