Hoofd van een jongen en twee profielen van mannen 1645

This is Wenceslaus Hollar’s etching, featuring a boy's head and two male profiles. Observe the youthful figure at the top, eyes closed, seemingly in repose. This motif of closed eyes carries a rich history, from classical sculptures of sleeping gods to Renaissance depictions of idealized beauty in eternal slumber. It echoes through time, appearing even in modern photography, each instance tapping into our collective memory of peace, vulnerability, and the introspective dream state. The act of portraying a face in profile, as seen in the two figures below, harkens back to ancient coins and portrait busts, where the profile was a symbol of power and identity. Yet, in Hollar's sketch, the profiles are softer, more human. They invite us to consider the psychological depth behind the external image, perhaps reflecting the inner thoughts and emotions of the subjects. These simple studies of human features evoke a powerful connection across centuries, reminding us of the enduring human quest to capture and understand ourselves.