Cartouche with Title: Nouvelles inventions de Cartouches 1647

This print was made by Stefano della Bella around 1647, using etching. It's not a unique work of art, but a design intended for reproduction. Etching is an intaglio process, meaning that the image is incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Acid is used to bite into the metal, creating the lines that hold the ink. Note the crisp, precise lines that define the image. The design is meant to be a template for other artists to follow. Della Bella was not only a skilled etcher, but also a savvy entrepreneur, creating designs that could be used by other artisans in a variety of media. Think of this cartouche as a product of its time, when the division of labor was becoming increasingly specialized. Della Bella's skill lies not just in his artistry, but in his understanding of how to create value in a world of mass production. He has thoroughly engaged with the industrial logic of capitalism through creative practice, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.