Two Heads of Old Soldiers 1641 - 1700

Stefano della Bella made this small print, Two Heads of Old Soldiers, with ink on paper sometime in the mid-17th century. The technique used to create it, etching, allowed the artist to generate multiples. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then draws through this coating, exposing the metal underneath. When dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves in the plate. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the image is transferred to paper under high pressure. The linear quality of the work is a direct consequence of this process. Consider how the etched lines define the contours of the soldiers' faces and helmets, creating a sense of depth and texture. In a society increasingly governed by mass production, etching played an important role, allowing artists to circulate their ideas widely. This print embodies the tensions between the hand-made and the mechanically reproduced.