Four Heads (from Characaturas by Leonardo da Vinci, from Drawings by Wincelslaus Hollar, out of the Portland Museum) (1786, Met-Objekt 5574)
Original title: Four Heads (from Characaturas by Leonardo da Vinci, from Drawings by Wincelslaus Hollar, out of the Portland Museum)
kurzbeschreibung
Wenceslaus Hollar's 1786 etching "Vier Köpfe" (Four Heads) brings together four profile portraits on a single sheet. It belongs to a series made after drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, whose originals were held in the Portland Museum. The work is executed as an etching on paper.
Description
Four heads appear in profile, each set within its own square frame. The poses and hairstyles of the sitters differ markedly from one another. Black-and-white lines and strokes define contours and shading. Light falls evenly, with no distinct cast shadows — a sign of artistic reproduction without natural illumination. The style remains linear and detailed, as is characteristic of etching.
Context
Nearly a century after Hollar's death in 1677, this etching was issued in 1786, published posthumously from his works. The models were drawings by Leonardo da Vinci that Hollar had reproduced in the seventeenth century. The title names the Portland Museum, which owned the original drawings. Reproductions of this kind helped spread artworks and studies in the eighteenth century.
Impact
Clear lines and the calm sequence of the four heads give the sheet balance and precision. Because the shading stays even and strong contrasts are absent, it feels objective, almost scientific, reinforcing its character as a study.
Technique
In etching, lines are scratched into an etched plate and then printed on paper. Fine strokes and hatching give the heads a sense of volume. At 20.2 x 16.7 cm, the paper format is relatively small, inviting intimate viewing.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)