Judith with the Head of Holofernes

Stella probably painted this picture during his stay in Rome when he painted many small works on slate. He began his career as an engraver in Florence in 1619, but in 1623 he moved to Rome, where he became one of Poussin’s few intimate friends. He went through a series of stages in which he practiced different styles. His early engravings are in the manner of Callot; but his later work was dominated by Poussin.