Ornament design for a thesis, the Strozzi coat of arms at top 1655 - 1665

This print, made by Stefano della Bella in the 17th century, is an ornament design featuring the Strozzi coat of arms. It's made with etching, a printmaking process that involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The etched lines give a sense of depth, creating a detailed and complex scene. Notice how the varying line weights and densities create contrast, capturing the textures of fabric, foliage, and skin. The design is rendered with extraordinary precision, and would have required great skill to create. Etchings like this were made in multiples and could circulate widely, serving not just as art objects but as a form of social currency. This particular print advertises the Strozzi family, a well-known noble family of Florence. This was a society in which status was everything. The work reminds us that even images can be instruments of power.