Printmaking: diffusing Stella's inventions
At a time when paintings travelled little, printmaking was the main tool used to diffuse artists' inventions. In the early days in Florence, Stella created original engravings, i.e. prints that he both invented and engraved. In later years, printmaking would continue to occupy a central position in the painter's production, however his role was limited to inventing compositions which were then engraved by others, known as reproductive printmakers.
One of the reasons that Richelieu retained Stella in Paris was to develop the production of the Imprimerie Nationale. His drawings were engraved by some of the era's greatest printmakers, Mellan, Rousselet, Bosse and the frères de Poilly (De Poilly brothers). Engravings of his compositions offered the guarantee of widespread diffusion, optimised revenue and established his reputation for posterity. In many cases, the engravings allow us to visualize lost paintings. Stella was also a great collector of prints. The works of great artists constituted a valuable source of inspiration.
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