Vijf hoofden 1620 - 1657

"Vijf hoofden" (Five Heads), an etching by Italian artist Stefano della Bella, is a study in expressive portraiture. Created between 1620 and 1657, it features five distinct heads rendered in a loose, gestural style, showcasing della Bella’s mastery of capturing human emotion through quick lines and subtle shading. The individual heads, rendered in profile and three-quarter view, exhibit a range of expressions from contemplative to animated, offering a glimpse into the artist's observational skills and ability to convey character through simple, yet effective, lines. Now housed in the Rijksmuseum, "Vijf hoofden" is a testament to della Bella's talent for creating dynamic and engaging studies of human physiognomy.