Head of young man with long hair in profile to the left
Original title: Head of young man with long hair in profile to the left
kurzbeschreibung
Wenceslaus Hollar made this etching sometime between 1644 and 1652. It shows the head of a young man turned in profile to the left. The small print survives in a single state and was worked as an etched plate.
Description
Long, wavy hair is built up from tight parallel strokes and broken into separate masses. The head angles slightly toward the left. A shirt appears at the neck and collar. The backdrop stays bare, so the head holds the eye on its own. Greys carry the monochrome palette. Light enters from the left, sharpening shadows and contours.
Context
Hollar, a Bohemian printmaker, is known for his richly detailed etchings. He was working in England during the years 1644 to 1652. This sheet may have served as a study for larger compositions, or it may have been made as a portrait study in its own right.
Impact
Precise lines and a close reading of the hair's structure define the sheet. The restrained layout pushes the young man's features and hairstyle forward. The result is quiet and concentrated.
Technique
Fine strokes and lines were bitten into the etched plate. That process allows a high degree of detail, most visible in the strands of hair. The print is known in a single state and has margins with thread.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)