Frans II, Lodewijk II en Karel de Kale 1620 - 1664

This etching by Stefano della Bella, made sometime in the mid-17th century, presents three figures arranged in a vertical stack. The dominance of line over tone immediately captures our attention. Notice how each figure is framed with a number and text. The rigid lines give structure to the overall composition while containing an element of satire. These contrasting qualities make a semiotic play between order and chaos. The figures are depicted in elaborate costumes that look like stage props, with the etching’s dimensions suggesting a theatrical set. The artwork challenges fixed meanings by playfully mixing historical representation with social commentary. In doing so, the artist invites us to consider the cultural codes that underpin our understanding of power and authority, and the potential for these to be subverted through humor. The linear precision, combined with the satirical undertones, serves not only as an aesthetic choice but also as a means of questioning established norms.