Hoofd van een jongeman, rechts naar beneden kijkend 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella created this print, “Head of a Young Man, Looking Down to the Right”, sometime in the mid-17th century. During Bella’s lifetime, the printmaking field was dominated by men, yet prints circulated widely and were collected by both men and women. This image captures a young man in a moment of introspection; his gaze is lowered, his expression contemplative. It invites us to consider the inner lives of young men during a period defined by rigid social structures. The subject's youth and apparent vulnerability diverge from the heroic masculinity often depicted in art of this era. His androgynous features challenge conventional gender norms, suggesting a more fluid representation of identity. The deliberate lack of setting focuses our attention on the subject’s emotional state and personal identity, a departure from traditional portraiture, which typically emphasized social status. Through this delicate etching, Bella offers a subtle commentary on the complexities of identity, inviting viewers to look beyond social expectations and recognize the emotional nuances of human experience.