Head of an old man wearing cap in profile to left
Original title: Head of an old man wearing cap in profile to left
kurzbeschreibung
Wenceslaus Hollar made this etching between 1644 and 1652: the profile of an old man wearing a cap, facing left. The sheet measures 7.6 × 5.2 cm and survives in a single state. The head study derives from a model by Leonardo da Vinci.
Description
An old man turns his head slightly to the left, his profile framed by a cap. The nose juts out sharply, the mouth is drawn with care, and the expression stays grave. Thin hair, combed back, edges the face, and the cap sits pushed somewhat rearward. Diagonal strokes suggest shadow and texture behind the head. Black on white, the print renders facial features and single strands of hair with great precision.
Context
Hollar was working in England when he made this etching, between 1644 and 1652. A drawing by Leonardo da Vinci served as the source, a work that had spread widely through reproductions in the seventeenth century. Hollar was known for exacting graphic work and often copied old masters. That only one state of the etching has come down to us points to a small edition or limited circulation.
Impact
Delicate linework and a lively rendering of age shape the sheet. The serious expression and careful shading lend the head a dignified presence. By limiting itself to the profile and keeping the background plain, the print draws the eye entirely to the features of the face.
Technique
For this etching, the lines were bitten into a ground laid on a copper plate. Hollar used fine, parallel hatching to build shadow and texture. The sheet survives in its only state, which suggests a single printing run.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)