Mask 1610 - 1664

Stefano della Bella created this etching, titled "Mask," in Italy during the 17th century. Masks played a crucial role in the carnivals and theatrical performances popular at the time, reflecting the social and cultural values of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque periods. The image presents a grotesque face, wreathed in leaves, bearing witness to the period's fascination with the theatrical and the grotesque. The exaggerated features and intense expression might allude to characters from the popular commedia dell'arte. As historians, our appreciation of this artwork relies on a thorough knowledge of visual codes, printmaking, and performance culture. By delving into costume books, theatre archives, and studies of popular festivals, we can start to unlock the social meanings embedded within this seemingly simple image, and understand what role art played in the daily lives of the people of 17th-century Italy.