Vijf hoofden 1620 - 1657

Stefano della Bella created this etching of five heads. Made in Italy during the 17th century, such prints played a vital role in the art world. They were often made after drawings, paintings, or sculptures and were used to circulate visual ideas to a wider audience. Although we don't know what was Stefano della Bella's social status, it is known that he travelled widely during his life and produced topographical prints, costume studies, and military scenes. Prints like these helped to create a shared visual culture. They helped consolidate tastes and fashions, and they were used for teaching in art academies. Prints like this were also collected by connoisseurs and kept in albums. It would be interesting to research the provenance of this particular print. Who owned it? How was it used? The answers to these questions would help us to understand the place of this modest little print in the wider social world.