Hoofd van een jonge man, in profiel naar rechts 1620 - 1647

Stefano della Bella created this etching of a young man’s head, likely in Italy, sometime in the mid-17th century. Etching is an indirect method of engraving, using acid to bite lines into a metal plate. The plate is first covered with a waxy ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground with a needle, exposing the metal. Finally, the plate is immersed in acid, which eats away at the exposed lines. Because so much of the work is done by chemistry, etching allows for a more fluid and expressive line than direct engraving, where the artist cuts directly into the metal. Look closely, and you can see the extraordinary level of detail that Stefano della Bella was able to achieve. The hatching marks behind the figure, the dense curls of his hair, and even the delicate lines of his facial features. These all point to a virtuoso performance, but one that depends as much on craft knowledge as it does on pure artistic talent. By appreciating both, we gain a richer understanding of the artwork’s value.