Bust of a Man with Hooked Nose, Prominent Upper Lip, Open Mouth and Thick, Short Curly Hair Resembling Wig in Profile to Left
Original title: Bust of a man with hooked nose, prominent upper lip, open mouth and thick, short curly hair resembling wig in profile to left
kurzbeschreibung
In 1665 Wenceslaus Hollar etched the profile of an unknown man turned to the left. According to the inscription, the print goes back to an invention by Leonardo da Vinci. The sheet measures 6.9 × 5 cm and survives as a single print.
Description
A straight nose bridge, a clearly protruding upper lip and an open mouth with an indefinable expression define the face. The short, wavy hair recalls a curly wig cut. The head tilts slightly to the left, while the plain background directs attention entirely to the countenance. Dense strokes of varying strength model shadows and contours; wrinkles and skin surfaces are captured realistically.
Context
The inscription on the sheet records the year of execution, 1665. A work by Leonardo da Vinci, probably a drawing or study sheet, served as the model. Hollar, a Bohemian engraver, was known for his reproductive prints after older masters. The small format suggests a study or a collector's item.
Impact
The precise linework and realistic rendering of the face make the sheet immediate and alive. The open mouth and pronounced features give the portrait an expressive, almost caricatural quality. An intimate, richly detailed likeness emerges, placing physiognomy at its center.
Technique
An etching in its only state was printed on paper, with the plate measuring 6.9 × 5 cm. Dense lines of varying strength are characteristic of Hollar's fine needlework. This process allows a detailed rendering of shadows and textures.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)