Vrouw met opgestoken haar, drie kwart op de rug gezien 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella created this delicate etching of a woman with her hair up sometime in the mid-17th century. During this period, women’s identities were heavily shaped by social expectations around beauty, modesty, and domesticity. This image offers a glimpse into those standards, as the woman's carefully arranged hairstyle and poised posture reflect the era's emphasis on refined appearances. Yet, the very act of depicting a woman, even in a conventional pose, hints at the artist's engagement with the gender dynamics of his time. Her gaze is directed away, inviting the viewer to contemplate her thoughts and inner life. Consider the subtle ways in which della Bella navigates the boundaries of representation, offering a nuanced portrayal that both acknowledges and gently questions the traditional roles assigned to women in art and society.