Hoofd van een oude man met laurierkrans, links naar beneden kijkend 1620 - 1664

This drawing of an old man with a laurel wreath, gazing downward to the left, was created by Stefano della Bella. Notice the texture and how it’s achieved with fine lines. The artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to create areas of light and shadow, building up a sense of volume and depth. The composition is interesting because the head occupies most of the space, creating an intimate and immediate encounter. Della Bella’s strategic use of line, from the delicate wisps of hair to the deeper furrows of the man's brow, captures not just an image but a sense of introspection and aging. The laurel wreath, a sign of honor or victory, introduces a layer of meaning, perhaps alluding to the man's past achievements or status. Consider how the formal qualities of the drawing enhance its symbolic content and emotional impact. The use of line, texture, and composition work together to convey themes of age, wisdom, and perhaps even the weight of time.