Three children carrying a tray 1638

Stefano della Bella made this small etching of three children carrying a tray in the mid-seventeenth century. This print is a marvelous example of the kind of art that circulated among collectors and connoisseurs in Early Modern Europe. The children's nudity recalls classical sculpture, but here that seriousness is combined with humor, as they struggle to carry a tray of glasses. The print was made during the Baroque era, when artists were experimenting with ways to create dynamic and theatrical compositions. The exaggerated poses and the precarious balance of the figures contribute to this effect. Prints like these were often collected in albums or displayed in frames, and they were a way for people to engage with art in a more intimate and personal way. Catalogues and inventories of the period can give us insight into who collected prints like these, and how they were valued. By studying the collecting habits of the past, we can better understand the social and cultural role of art in Early Modern Europe.