Bust of a woman wearing low-cut dress, with protruding lipd, growth on her forehead, prominent breast, long flowing hair down her back, in profile to left
Original title: Bust of a woman wearing low-cut dress, with protruding lipd, growth on her forehead, prominent breast, long flowing hair down her back, in profile to left.
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike typical female portraits of its time, this left-facing profile emphasizes striking physical features: a protruding lip, a growth on the forehead, and a low-cut dress. Wenceslaus Hollar etched the plate in 1660; it survives in a single state. Long, flowing hair falls down her back and frames her upper body.
Description
The woman's face, turned to the left, shows a strong nose and a prominent lip; a distinct growth on her forehead shapes the profile. Wavy, long hair falls over her shoulder, and the dress is deeply cut. Black-and-white hatching and lines bring out forms and textures. The layout brings face and upper body into focus.
Context
Hollar, a Bohemian printmaker, worked in England and on the continent in the mid-17th century. In 1660, the year of this etching, he was employed by various patrons and known for precise portraits and topographical prints. That only one state exists may point to a small edition or an interrupted printing process.
Impact
The peculiar features and the forehead growth give the portrait a documentary, almost medical quality. The clear profile view and emphasized silhouette feel matter-of-fact and detached. At the same time, the print draws attention to the woman's individual physiognomy.
Technique
In etching, lines are incised into an etched plate and then printed on paper. This process allows fine hatching, with which face and hair are modeled. The sheet measures only about 6.4 × 4.9 cm, suggesting a small-scale, detailed execution.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)