Plate 6: six hands, from 'The Book for Learning to Draw' (Livre pour apprendre à dessiner) 1647 - 1652

Stefano della Bella made this print of six hands as Plate 6 from 'The Book for Learning to Draw', sometime in the mid-17th century. Della Bella worked in Florence, Italy, a city known at the time for it's strong artistic institutions and the patronage of the Medici family. As the title suggests, this was created as an instructional guide. Its function then, was to democratize art by making it more accessible to the masses, not just the elite. By studying this plate, aspiring artists could master the skill of drawing hands and gain a foothold in the art world. Hands can be particularly expressive so mastering their form and gesture was an important step for any artist. To understand this work better, we can consult other manuals, academic treatises, and historical accounts. By examining the social and institutional context, we can better understand the role of art in society.