Head of an Old Man with a Pronounced Chin, Short Cropped Hair and Gaping Mouth Showing Teeth in Profile to Left
Original title: Head of an old man with a pronounced chin, short cropped hair and gaping mouth showing teeth in profile to left
kurzbeschreibung
An old man's face in profile facing left, with a strong chin, short hair and a wide-open mouth showing his teeth. Wenceslaus Hollar etched this print between 1644 and 1652 in a single state. The inscription names Leonardo da Vinci as the author of the model.
Description
The head of an old man, turned to the left, has a sharply outlined chin and short, loose hair. His mouth hangs open, teeth exposed, and his expression seems thoughtful and weary. An empty background frames the face and makes it stand out. The etched lines are dense and precise, giving texture to skin and hair. At the bottom appear the inscriptions 'Leonardo da Vinci inv.' and 'W. Holla fect.'
Context
Hollar worked in England from 1644 to 1652 and made this etching there. He often copied works by Italian artists, including drawings from Leonardo's circle. The model was probably a caricature or grotesque of the kind found in Leonardo's sketchbooks. Reproductive prints of this sort made artworks known and were an important means of dissemination in the seventeenth century.
Impact
The pronounced physiognomy and open mouth give the image a direct, expressive presence. The fine etching creates a lively surface that draws the eye to the intense facial expression.
Technique
The etching exists in only one state. This technique allows fine, linear hatching that brings out shadow and texture. Hollar used the etched lines to capture the features precisely and to evoke the effect of skin and hair.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)