St. Anthony, Archbishop of Florence 1651

Stefano della Bella made this print of St. Anthony, Archbishop of Florence, in Italy in the mid-seventeenth century. It shows the saint rising heavenward, surrounded by cherubs. But who was St. Anthony, and why did della Bella choose to represent him? Born in Florence in 1389, Antoninus was a Dominican friar who rose to become Archbishop of Florence. He was known for his piety and for his charitable work helping the poor. His example was upheld as a model for the church’s mission at a time when it faced the challenges of the Protestant Reformation. Della Bella, an accomplished printmaker, produced images for a variety of patrons, including the Medici family. Prints like this were collected by connoisseurs and disseminated ideas. Art historians consult sources such as letters, inventories, and other documents to understand the circulation and reception of prints like this in their own time. Approaching art from a historical perspective emphasizes its place in a network of social relations.