Plate 16: head of an old man in profile with a cloth tied around his head, from 'The Book for Learning to Draw' (Livre pour apprendre à dessiner) 1644 - 1654

This etching, "Plate 16: head of an old man in profile with a cloth tied around his head, from 'The Book for Learning to Draw' (Livre pour apprendre à dessiner)" by Stefano della Bella, is part of a series of prints designed to help aspiring artists study the human form. The detailed rendering of the old man’s wrinkled face and the soft folds of the cloth demonstrate Della Bella's mastery of the etching technique. The print's small size highlights its intended function as a tool for close observation and study, aimed at capturing subtle nuances of anatomy and texture. The use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and volume, enhancing the realism of the subject.