Gezicht van een oude man met baard, in profiel naar links 1650

This etching, "Gezicht van een oude man met baard, in profiel naar links," was created by Stefano della Bella in the 17th century. The print is a study in contrasts, rendered in delicate lines that define the contours of an old man's face. The composition is simple, focusing entirely on the head and shoulders in profile. Bella's masterful use of line is particularly evident in the beard and hair, where a dense network of strokes creates a sense of volume and texture. Note the delicate, almost fragile quality of the lines that trace the wrinkles and folds of the skin. This attention to detail invites us to consider the passage of time and the marks it leaves on the human form. The etching, with its emphasis on line and form, challenges fixed notions of beauty, reminding us of the value in capturing the essence of a subject through precise, structured observation.