1648
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Death with an Old Man is a 1648 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a skeleton holding a violin. Behind it, a man in fancy clothes looks surprised. The scene is dark, with lots of swirling lines and shadows. The skeleton seems to be playing the violin while the man watches. This might be a way to show that death is always near, even in happy moments. Look up etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Stefano della Bella (18 May 1610 – 12 July 1664) was an Italian draughtsman and printmaker known for etchings of a great variety of subjects, including military and court scenes, landscapes, and lively genre scenes.
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