Head of a man with serious expression
Original title: Head of a man with serious expression
kurzbeschreibung
A man's head in profile facing left, captured in an etching by Wenceslaus Hollar from 1644–52. The source is a work by Leonardo da Vinci, and the print exists in the only state. The plate measures 6.3 × 4.8 cm.
Description
Wavy, curly hair surrounds the head, and individual strokes make the texture of the hair legible. Light and shadow alternate across the face, giving the expression something downcast. The gaze goes to the left; neck and shoulder are worked with parallel lines. At upper left one reads 'Leonardo da Vinci inv.', to its right 'W. Holler fecit'.
Context
The inscription names Leonardo da Vinci as the author of the source, and this etching goes back to it. Hollar worked in the 17th century as a copper engraver and often reproduced works by famous masters. The years 1644–52 fall in his time in England, where nobles and collectors counted among his patrons. The present impression belongs to the first and only edition.
Impact
What stands out in this small sheet is its calm: the dense linework and the harsh juxtaposition of light and dark give the head an inward-turned mood. Despite its small dimensions, the portrait retains weight and directs attention to the facial expression rather than the format.
Technique
The sheet was produced as an etching: the lines are incised into a plate, which was then etched with acid. With fine, parallel hatching Hollar achieved gradations of shadow and surface textures. The process allows precise details and preserves the contours of Leonardo's source.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)