Bust of a man with a small turned-up nose and very high upper lip, wearing hood, in profile to the left
Original title: Bust of a man with a small turned-up nose and very high upper lip, wearing hood, in profile to the left
kurzbeschreibung
A man's head in profile facing left, captured by Wenceslaus Hollar in an etching from 1666. A hood frames the face, drawing attention to its small snub nose and strikingly high upper lip. This is a single impression in the only state, from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Description
Your eye first travels over the hood that wraps the man's head and shoulders in profile facing left. Then it settles on the small, upturned nose and the very high upper lip that give the face its peculiar expression. Folds of fabric and skin are rendered with great precision. In the upper left appear the signature and the year 1666. The image remains entirely in shades of gray, as is typical for etchings.
Context
Hollar made this print in 1666 in London, where he was working at the time. He based it on a work by Leonardo da Vinci, showing his interest in reproducing Italian masters. Hollar was known for his meticulous graphic work and his stylistic adaptability. The small format suggests the print was intended as a study sheet or for collectors.
Impact
The clear linework first draws the viewer in, giving the facial features an almost scientific quality. The exaggerated proportions of nose and upper lip seem slightly grotesque, yet they hold the gaze. The gray tones and distinct contours create a calm, collected mood.
Technique
The etching exists in only one state and was printed with margins on the plate. The plate measures 2 5/8 × 1 15/16 inches (6.7 × 4.9 cm). The etching process allows for fine lines and shading, which are used here to describe facial features and fabric folds.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)