Mask 1610 - 1664

Editor: We’re looking at "Mask" by Stefano della Bella, created sometime between 1610 and 1664. It’s an etching, currently housed at the Met. It strikes me as quite theatrical and slightly mournful, almost like a character waiting in the wings. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, yes, theatrical is spot on! It whispers of the Baroque, doesn't it? Think of those elaborate stage designs and dramatic allegories. I see a character pulled straight from mythology, perhaps Silenus or a forest deity. Do you notice the crown of oak leaves? That suggests strength and endurance, but the downward gaze hints at melancholy. It's this duality that fascinates me. What do you make of the medium, the etching itself? Editor: I can see the etching emphasizes the heavy lines, the shading… giving him a gravity, making the figure pop. Curator: Exactly! Bella’s skillful use of line really brings out the texture, the almost tangible quality of the figure. It's as if the mask has been carved directly out of the earth. Perhaps that sorrow isn’t grief, but a world-weariness that comes with immense power and the responsibility that goes along with it. The trailing ribbons juxtapose nicely with the wildness. I wonder… do you see a contemporary analogue for this piece? Editor: It’s really thought provoking. It’s almost a pre-cursor to comic books. I hadn’t even considered that. Curator: There you go, finding threads in the vast tapestry of art history! And I will keep my eyes peeled to those graphic novels… perhaps you will have a class project in the offing. Editor: Always, ha! Thanks for your take; now I look at it differently. Curator: And likewise. Until next time!