Self-portrait in a cap: laughing after 1630

Francesco Novelli's self-portrait etching captures the artist in a moment of apparent mirth, his laughter revealing a glimpse of teeth, framed by a simple cap. The smile, a universal symbol of joy, transcends time, and has been captured since antiquity. Consider, for instance, the laughing Democritus, the ancient Greek philosopher, whose perpetual smile was a symbol of his enlightened wisdom. Novelli’s self-portrait is a modern echo of this ancient motif. Yet, the image of laughter has shifted and mutated over the ages. Think of the sinister grin of a medieval gargoyle, intended to ward off evil, or the manic laughter of a Shakespearean fool, a mask for hidden truths. This self-portrait is a psychological portrait, one that taps into our collective memory of joy, humor, and the complex emotions behind a simple smile. It is a potent reminder of the enduring power of human expression.