A child wearing a large mask and inserting his hand through the mouth 1658 - 1662

This etching by Stefano della Bella, a prominent Italian artist of the 17th century, depicts a child playfully wearing a large mask and inserting his hand through the mouth. The figure is shown standing on a platform, his body disproportionate to the oversized head. This whimsical image exemplifies della Bella's mastery of capturing human expression and movement through the medium of etching. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, NY, holds this unique example of della Bella's work, a testament to his legacy as a skilled draftsman and engraver.