Two deformed heads (the figure on the left is possibly a caricature of Dante) 1645

This is Wenceslaus Hollar's etching of "Two Deformed Heads," made in 1645. One can read this image through its visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The print was made in the middle of the 17th century, a time of immense social upheaval in Europe, particularly during the Thirty Years' War. Hollar, a Bohemian artist working in England, was deeply affected by these events, which influenced his artistic output. The image is an explicit reference to Leonardo da Vinci, whose name appears on the print, and whose interest in physiognomy is well known. The pairing of the two heads, one possibly a caricature of Dante, invites us to contemplate the nature of beauty and ugliness and consider the social norms that define these concepts. Is Hollar critiquing the institutions of art that perpetuate certain ideals? Or is he simply reflecting the prejudices of his time? To answer this, we might look at other works by Hollar and his contemporaries, examining the cultural and political contexts in which they were created. Only then can we fully understand its meaning and significance.