Ceres, from 'Game of Mythology' (Jeu de la Mythologie) 1644

Stefano della Bella created this tiny etching of 'Ceres' as part of his 'Game of Mythology' series. The composition presents us with a central figure of Ceres offering a libation, balanced by two onlookers, one of them a child reaching up with playful expectation. Consider how della Bella uses line. It's not just descriptive; it's structural. Notice the density of lines creating darker areas and the strategic use of hatching to model form and space. These aren't merely illustrations, but studies in how line can define volume and texture within a very limited space. The composition uses the figures' gestures to direct our gaze, creating a dynamic interplay within a static image. The artist uses the formal constraints of etching to explore the possibilities of representation. The tension between flatness and depth invites us to consider how the piece is not just representational but also an exercise in visual semiotics. The arrangement and rendering are designed to engage the viewer in a dialogue about form and meaning.