Pootjebadende vrouw 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella created this etching of a woman bathing in the 17th century. This small, informal print is a far cry from the imposing history paintings that then dominated European art academies. Della Bella worked in Florence, Rome, and Paris, and he was influenced by the emergence of a print market that catered to middle-class collectors. Unlike paintings, prints were relatively cheap and could be easily reproduced and distributed. This market allowed artists to create images for a wider audience. The image is a glimpse into the everyday life of women, a subject rarely seen in the highly conventionalized world of academic art. Della Bella's etching lacks the seriousness of purpose encouraged by institutions, and it thus offers a fleeting, informal moment of ordinary life. Art historians can look at the artist’s sketchbooks, the print market in 17th century Europe, and the policies of academies, to better understand the meaning and value of this work. As we study such social contexts, we realize that art is contingent on many things, and never simply the product of individual genius.