Polish man with a mustache wearing a fur coat and a hat with a feather 1643 - 1653

Stefano della Bella made this print of a Polish man, using etching. That means he coated a copper plate with wax, drew into it with a needle, and then bathed the plate in acid, which bit away the exposed lines. Consider the material properties at play here: the hard metal of the plate, the waxy resist, and the corrosive acid. Together, these allow for the crisp lines and fine detail that bring the figure to life. The man’s elaborate fur coat and hat with a feather signal status and wealth. Think of the labor required to trap the animals, prepare the pelts, and sew them into garments. This print, therefore, represents an intersection of skilled labor at every stage, both in its making and in its subject. By focusing on materials, making, and social context, we can better appreciate the full meaning of this artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.