Vrouw met baret, in profiel naar links 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella etched this image of a woman with a beret in the 17th century. The beret, adorned with jewels, speaks of status, yet its soft form hints at more than mere nobility. Consider the motif of the female profile itself. We see echoes of classical cameos, of Roman portraiture, where the profile served to immortalize an individual, turning them into an emblem. Think of the countless coins bearing the likeness of emperors, each a small, portable piece of power and propaganda. Here, the profile is not of a ruler, but the very act of representation carries its own weight. The woman’s gaze is directed away, inviting a sense of mystery. What does she see? What thoughts occupy her mind? This small etching captures the essence of the individual, a subtle dance between public presentation and private contemplation. This delicate dance resonates across time.