Head of an old man with tufts of curly hair around ear in profile to left
Original title: Head of an old man with tufts of curly hair around ear in profile to left
kurzbeschreibung
Wenceslaus Hollar made this etching between 1644 and 1652, and it survives in a single state. It shows the head of an old man in profile, his curly hair clustering around the ear. The inscription credits the invention to Leonardo da Vinci.
Description
The old man's profile opens from left to right, his face turned toward the viewer. Short curling locks frame the ear and fall away in tufts. Wrinkles and traces of age run through the skin and shape the features. Diagonal hatching in the background models light and shadow. Along the bottom runs the inscription 'Leonardo da Vinci inu. W. Hollar fecit'.
Context
The Bohemian etcher Wenceslaus Hollar produced this sheet in England in the middle of the seventeenth century, during his years of work there. An invention after Leonardo da Vinci served as his model, reflecting the common practice of reproducing famous works at the time. Hollar was known for his precise prints, which were often made after older masters. The small format of roughly 9 by 6.9 cm points to collectors' demand for intimate graphic works.
Impact
Delicate lines record the man's aged features in rich detail. Seen in profile, he feels close and private, and the eye settles on his face. The hatching behind him creates a calm, high-contrast mood that sets off the portrait study.
Technique
An etching in its only state; no other impressions with changes exist. The plate was trimmed to the platemark and shows thread margins in places. Bite lines produce the fine detail and shading typical of Hollar's exacting style.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)