Hoofd van een oude kale man met baard, in profiel naar links 1620 - 1647

This is a sketch by Stefano della Bella, an Italian printmaker who lived in the 17th century, depicting the head of an old, bald man with a beard. Here we have a motif of the wise, old man, a figure that stretches back into the depths of human history. This archetype appears in numerous cultures across time, from ancient philosophers to religious figures. The beard itself is a symbol. The image is one that evokes not just age, but also wisdom, experience, and perhaps even a connection to the divine. We see his gaze turned downwards. This is an attitude of reflection. It is the weight of years etched into his features. This image touches something primal within us, a recognition of mortality and the passage of time, engaging us on a subconscious level. The cyclical progression of this symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.