Stefano della Bella (1610–1664) Oval-shaped panel featuring Italian rebuses on the theme of Love. Circa 1639. Etching. 206 x 290 mm. From Vesme, Massar 688. A very fine print on Italian laid paper. A small, oily brown stain in the center. A few scattered light foxing spots. Margin lines. AABM stamp (Lugt 3075). Originally designed to decorate the panel of a folding screen or a fan, this oval composition features several visual and textual riddles in Italian. Read line by line, from left to right, they form poetic and philosophical sayings about the torments and nature of love. Rebus solution (line by line): Ove è Amore è fedeltà (Where there is Love, there is fidelity) Amor solicito è segreto (Attentive love is secret) Dove è Amore è gelosia (Where there is love, there is jealousy) Amore è cieco e vede di lontano (Love is blind and sees from afar) Amore passa il guanto e l'acqua li stivali (Love passes through the glove, and water through the boots) Amor Amore, tu sei la mia rovina (Love, Love, you are my ruin)