Bust of a deformed man with a hat and a fat, protruding lower lip in profile to left
Original title: Bust of a deformed man with a hat and a fat, protruding lower lip in profile to left
kurzbeschreibung
In 1665 Wenceslaus Hollar etched the profile of a deformed man wearing a hat, his greasy lower lip thrusting forward. The small print brings the face and upper body close to the viewer.
Description
A man appears in profile, rendered in etching. A cap covers his head, and a cloth or apron is wrapped around his neck. His face looks deformed: the lower jaw juts out markedly, and a deep crease runs through his features. Firm, fine strokes bring out the surfaces of skin and fabric. The background stays empty, letting the portrait stand forward. Latin inscriptions at upper left and lower right name the artist and the year.
Context
Behind this print stands Wenceslaus Hollar, a Bohemian printmaker who worked in England and across much of Europe in the seventeenth century. By 1665 he was already known for his meticulous etchings. This portrait belongs to a series in which Hollar recorded people with physical peculiarities.
Impact
Clear lines and a refusal to flatter make the deformity immediately palpable. The small format draws the viewer in close and turns attention to the details of the face. The result is a direct, arresting effect.
Technique
The print was made as an etching: a metal plate is bitten with acid to deepen the drawing. It is a single impression (only state), so only one printing stage exists. The sharp, fine lines are typical of Hollar's method and allow textures to be reproduced precisely.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)