Title Page, Diversae Effigies
Original title: Title Page, Diversae Effigies
kurzbeschreibung
In 1648, Wenceslaus Hollar produced the title page for the series Diversae Effigies as part of his etched work. It shows the profile portrait of an older man. This octavo-size sheet serves as the frontispiece to the portrait series and survives in the first of three states.
Description
A man's profile facing right fills the small format: short, curly hair that sweeps up and back, a face lined with wrinkles, his gaze directed to the right. The background remains blank, bringing the head to the fore. Above the portrait, the words DIVERSAE EFFIGIES appear in large italic letters, followed by smaller lines naming the artist and place of origin. At lower right is the inscription 'Leonardo da Vinci inu', a reference to the source.
Context
Hollar was working in Antwerp in 1648, where he was staying at the time. The series Diversae Effigies gathers various portrait studies that draw on Italian models. With the annotation 'Leonardo da Vinci inu', the artist invokes a Leonardo invention—a common practice in seventeenth-century printmaking.
Impact
The spare background and precise linework draw the eye to the face. Wrinkles and loose hair give the portrait a lively, almost sketch-like quality. The result is a concentrated, intimate effect that speaks directly to the viewer.
Technique
Etching on paper; fine lines define contour and shading. The sheet is known in the first of three states, indicating an early printing phase.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)