Male torso from neck to hip in profile to left
Original title: Male torso from neck to hip in profile to left
kurzbeschreibung
A male torso seen in profile facing left, from neck to hip, appears in this 1645 etching by Wenceslaus Hollar. It is a single print based on an anatomical study after Leonardo da Vinci.
Description
Muscles and folds of skin are clearly worked out, giving the body a strong, detailed presence. Black-and-white hatching with fine strokes creates the shading. The empty background makes the figure stand out. At the top left, a handwritten inscription refers to Leonardo da Vinci and gives the year 1645.
Context
In 1645 Wenceslaus Hollar made this etching as a reproduction of an anatomical study by Leonardo. Hollar was known for his graphic renderings after works by renowned artists. Only one state of the print exists; it was printed on paper.
Impact
The anatomy is rendered precisely and correctly, as is typical of Leonardo's studies. The fine linework gives a calm, factual effect that draws attention to the details of the body.
Technique
An etching that exists in only one state. The lines and shading were transferred by acid into a printing plate and then printed on paper. At the right edge, the sheet was trimmed along the plate edge.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)