Plate 4: head of an old woman with a bonnet, looking left from 'Various heads and figures' (Diverses têtes et figures) 1650

Stefano della Bella created this print, "Plate 4: head of an old woman with a bonnet, looking left," as part of his series 'Various heads and figures'. Della Bella lived in an era defined by rigid social hierarchies and gender roles, and his work often reflected the diverse faces of 17th-century society. This portrait of an older woman invites us to consider the representation of aging and femininity during this period. What does it mean to depict an older woman with such careful attention to detail, rather than idealizing youth and beauty? The bonnet she wears may signal modesty or a specific social status. Her gaze, directed slightly to the left, hints at introspection or perhaps a longing for something beyond the frame. This image, while seemingly simple, prompts us to reflect on the lives of women in the past. It challenges us to consider their experiences, their stories, and their places within a society that often marginalized them.