Portrait of a Young Woman (1647, Met-Objekt 2031)
Original title: Portrait of a Young Woman
kurzbeschreibung
Where most portraits of women from the period rely on paint, Wenceslaus Hollar's 1647 print is an etching worked over with drypoint in its second state. It presents a young woman dressed in seventeenth-century fashion, and the eye settles first on her elaborate head covering and a piece of neck jewelry.
Description
A round frame encloses the figure and sets her apart. A traditional covering sits on her head, richly trimmed with ribbons and ornament; the clothing stays plain, while a striking jewel at the throat draws attention. Dark, textured surroundings keep the focus entirely on the sitter. Along the lower edge appear the signature, the year 1647 and further inscriptions. Finely graded lines and hatching give the face its density of detail.
Context
Hollar, a Bohemian printmaker, worked mainly in England during the seventeenth century. This portrait dates from 1647, when he was in the service of the collector Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel, producing numerous likenesses alongside topographical views. His output runs to more than 2,700 prints.
Impact
The quiet, concentrated mood comes from the precise linework and the dark texture behind the figure. The circular frame lends the portrait something of a medallion, an intimate closeness that brings the face and the details of dress forward.
Technique
Etching and drypoint are both employed here, a method that allows fine, exact lines and is valued for soft, velvety shadows. This is the second state of the print, which points to later reworking of the plate. The sheet measures 12.5 × 10.4 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)