Heads of two young women
Original title: Heads of two young women
kurzbeschreibung
What sets this 1645 etching by Wenceslaus Hollar apart from related prints of the same period is that it gives us not one sitter but two women's heads side by side. Both are seen in half profile, with elaborately dressed curls and earrings, and the whole image is built up through a fine etched line.
Description
Two women's heads in half profile stand next to each other, their curly hair pinned up into a knot. The figure on the left lowers her gaze, while the one on the right turns toward the right; both wear earrings. Against the sparse ground the heads stand out clearly, the layout is symmetrical and the faces sit near the middle. Grey tones govern the monochrome sheet, and the background stays a little lighter than the figures. Even light prevails, with no strong shadows, and thin strokes define the contours as well as the surfaces of skin and hair.
Context
Hollar made this etching in England in 1645, where he ranked among the busiest printmakers of the seventeenth century. This impression is the second of two states, pulled from a later printing. The sheet appeared together with two further prints (P. 1748 and P. 1603) on a single sheet, which suggests a deliberate grouping.
Impact
Precisely guided lines and the calm, symmetrical arrangement give the sheet an elegant and thoughtful character. Because the grey values are finely graded, the faces look soft and almost drawn, so the eye drifts toward the details of the hairstyles.
Technique
As an etching, the print is recognizable by the thin etched lines that outline contours and textures. Varying the density and spacing of the strokes produces different grey values, and strong contrasts are absent. The dimensions are 8.5 × 11.4 cm; the sheet was printed together with two further prints on one page.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)