Bust of a deformed woman with curly hair in profile to the left
Original title: Bust of a deformed woman with curly hair in profile to the left
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike the usual Madonna or ruler portraits of his time, this 1665 etching by Wenceslaus Hollar presents the face of a woman with a deformed visage and curly hair. She is shown in three-quarter profile facing left, and her clothing features bows. This is the only state of the print, which measures just 6.4 × 4.4 cm.
Description
Turned to the left, the woman appears in profile, her facial features strikingly deformed. Curly hair frames her head, and bows are visible at the neck and along the lower hem of her garment. Fine hatching covers the background and accentuates the contours of her face and neck. In the upper right, the initials 'Leonardo da Vinci' and the year '1665' are engraved.
Context
The etching was made in 1665, likely after a model from Leonardo da Vinci's circle, as the initials in the image suggest. The tiny format of only a few centimeters points to a study or a collector's piece. Hollar was known as a master of detailed reproductions and portraits, often based on older models.
Impact
Through precise etching and delicate hatching, the portrait of the deformed woman feels both documentary and empathetic. The small size of the sheet demands close looking and brings out the details of her physiognomy.
Technique
Executed as an etching in the only state on paper, the print uses the technique to create fine lines and hatching that render the deformed facial features and curly hair.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)