The Second Oriental Head (reverse copy)
Original title: The Second Oriental Head (reverse copy)
kurzbeschreibung
A man in a fur cap with a scarf wrapped tightly around his head appears in profile in this 18th-century etching by John Smith. The subject belongs to the period's fashion for Orientalizing portraits. The print is executed as an etching, and the paper has a slight yellowish cast.
Description
Facing left, a man's face is shown in profile, covered by a fur cap and a scarf that sits close to the head. Fine lines and hatching model both the facial features and the clothing, a characteristic of etching. The background is left blank, bringing the figure forward. Gray tones dominate the monochrome palette, while the paper shows a slight yellowing from age.
Context
In the 18th century, European artists increasingly took up Oriental subjects, often prompted by travel accounts and printed models. John Smith, an English engraver and publisher, became known for his reproductive prints. The title 'The Second Oriental Head' suggests a series that may have served as a model for other artists. 'Gegenkopie' (reverse copy) refers to a mirror-image imitation of another work.
Impact
The delicate linework and calm profile give the print a detached yet precise air. The plain background draws attention to the facial features and the texture of the clothing. The monochrome palette and the aging of the paper lend the etching a historical presence.
Technique
In etching, lines are scratched into a metal plate, which is then bitten with acid. Fine hatching creates tonal values and textures that render fabric and skin. The paper has a natural slight yellow tone and shows signs of age that point back to the time of its making.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)