Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Heads and Busts by Wenceslaus Hollar

Wenceslaus Hollar after Parmigianino
Profile head of a woman
1645
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677) is best remembered for prints that provided panoramic views of London, especially in conjunction with the Great Fire of 1666. His output, mostly made in England, was enormous and various. Chosen here are faces, some derived from other artists, and mostly presented as belonging to mytho-poetic citizens of an idealized world.

Wenceslaus Hollar after Leonardo da Vinci
Male heads
ca. 1644-52
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar
Profile head of a woman
1645
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar after Leonardo da Vinci
Women's heads
1645
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar
Bust-portrait of a woman
17th century
drawing on vellum
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar
Posthumous bust-portrait of artist Maarten van Heemskerck
ca. 1627
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar
Woman playing the Virginals
ca. 1637-51
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar after Leonardo da Vince
Bust-portrait of a woman
1648
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar after Parmigianino
Helmeted Bust
1645
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar after Parmigianino
Helmeted Bust
1645
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar after Leonardo da Vinci
Male heads
1645
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar
Three Heads
1645
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar
Study of eyes
ca. 1644-52
etching
British Museum

Wenceslaus Hollar after Leonardo da Vinci
Profile head of a young man
ca. 1644-52
etching
British Museum

I am grateful to the British Museum for the excellent reproductions.