Artwork
Head of a Man Turned Left
Head of a Man Turned Left is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Head of a Man Turned Left is an etching on laid paper created by Stefano della Bella in 1637. It is one of over a thousand etchings produced by the artist, who was known for his prolific output in printmaking and drawing.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a man's head turned to the left, characterized by curly hair and a calm, serious expression. The use of texture and linework creates a sense of depth and dimensionality.
Technique & Style
The etching technique allowed della Bella to achieve sharp, detailed lines by allowing ink to sit in the grooves of the plate. This method was typical of 17th-century printmaking, and della Bella's work exemplifies the Baroque style's emphasis on expressive linework and texture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Stefano della Bella (18 May 1610 – 12 July 1664) was an Italian draughtsman and printmaker known for etchings of a great variety of subjects, including military and court scenes, landscapes, and lively genre scenes.
![The Flight into Egypt [verso], by Stefano Della Bella](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/stefano-della-bella--the-flight-into-egypt-verso--3a100db72e6d25e3-w320.webp)
![Head of a Man [recto], by Théodore Géricault](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/theodore-gericault--head-of-a-man-recto--d6e68ba78da40efa-w320.webp)
![Head of a Young Man [recto], by Dutch 17th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/dutch-17th-century--head-of-a-young-man-recto--f3e12a86c43ae2a0-w320.webp)
