Artwork
Two Turks
Two Turks is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1637, this etching on laid paper presents a pair of figures dressed in Turkish costume.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1637, this etching on laid paper presents a pair of figures dressed in Turkish costume. Executed by the Florentine draughtsman Stefano della Bella, the image exemplifies his prolific output of prints and drawings, reflecting the artist’s interest in diverse, often exotic, subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows two men in profile, each wearing tall, fur‑trimmed hats and long robes typical of Ottoman attire. Their faces are rendered with swift, gestural lines, emphasizing solemn expressions and carefully detailed beards and mustaches, suggesting a study of character rather than narrative action.
Technique & Style
Della Bella employed a restrained etching technique, allowing dark, confident lines to emerge against the slightly textured surface of laid paper. The graphic quality, marked by economical strokes and a focus on facial features, aligns with Baroque sensibilities that prized close observation of individual physiognomy.
History & Provenance
The print is a restrike, indicating that it was reproduced from the original plate after its initial issue. Stefano della Bella’s career produced over a thousand etchings and thousands of drawings, and this work forms part of his extensive series of depictions of military and courtly life, reflecting contemporary European fascination with the Ottoman world.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
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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