Standing sailor in center talking to a seated Levantine man to left, seen in profile, other sailors with a boat to left in the background 1658 - 1663

This etching, made by Stefano della Bella in the 17th century, depicts a group of sailors in a harbor. The print was achieved by incising lines into a metal plate, inking the surface, and then using immense pressure to transfer the image to paper. Note how the quality of the lines varies. Some are deeply etched, creating bold, dark marks, while others are faint, producing delicate shading. This was achieved through the control of acid biting into the metal, to create the lines that define the composition. Consider also the labor involved: not just della Bella's, but also the sailors he portrays, their livelihoods tied to maritime trade and the ebb and flow of labor. Prints like this one were not only works of art, but documents of a burgeoning global economy, capturing moments of exchange and connection. They also remind us that artistic choices, like the selection of materials and techniques, are deeply intertwined with the social and economic context in which they are made.