Head of a man with protruding chin and snub nose looking upwards in profile to left
Original title: Head of a man with protruding chin and snub nose looking upwards in profile to left
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike many contemporary profile studies, this print by Wenceslaus Hollar emphasizes the harshness of the physiognomy: a man's head tilted upward with a protruding chin and a snub nose, etched between 1644 and 1652. It is the only state of the etching, measuring 6.2 × 5.2 cm.
Description
A man's profile faces left, his chin jutting out and his nose slightly upturned. His gaze rises, and his expression seems thoughtful. Wavy hair falls at the side. Hatching fills the background and at the same time sharpens the contours of the face. At the bottom edge is a signature that refers to Leonardo da Vinci and William Hogarth.
Context
The etching was made between 1644 and 1652, while Hollar was working in England. The signature points to the tradition of copies after Leonardo da Vinci, to which this sheet belongs. Hollar was considered a meticulous graphic artist who trained on Renaissance models.
Impact
What this small format carries is the calm of its lines and the clarity of the profile. The upward gaze gives the portrait something inward-looking, almost contemplative. Despite its small size, the print holds its own with remarkable presence.
Technique
Hollar used etching here, in a single state. Fine strokes and hatching provide the modeling, and the print was pulled on paper. Because the plate is only 6.2 × 5.2 cm, the execution demanded a high degree of precision.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)