Plate Six from Various Embarkments n.d.

Stefano della Bella created Plate Six from Various Embarkments using etching, a printmaking technique involving acid. The incised lines hold ink, transferring the image to paper when pressed. What’s fascinating is how this process renders the scene. The landscape isn't just depicted; it's constructed through labor, much like the boats themselves. Della Bella’s lines mimic the textures of wood, rope, and fabric, giving tactile qualities to the scene. Look at the figures; their work is etched into the image, mirroring the artist's own labor in creating the print. The etching process itself—the skilled hand guiding the tool, the precise application of acid—highlights the intersection of craft and fine art. By attending to the making, we can read the scene not just as a picturesque view, but as a commentary on the work that sustains maritime life, a perspective often overlooked in traditional art history.