Title page to Diversae Probae 1645

Editor: This is "Title page to Diversae Probae," a print by Wenceslaus Hollar from 1645. The clustered faces give me a feeling of peering into a crowded room, each individual a distinct character. What do you see in this piece, Professor? Curator: What I see here are reflections of societal dynamics through physiognomy, which was popular then. The etching presents a taxonomy of facial types, embodying a worldview rooted in categorizing and, often, judging individuals based on their appearance. Can we consider how these 'types' relate to then-current social hierarchies, where certain features might have been associated with class or even moral standing? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered the class implications. The faces on the left, younger and perhaps idealized, seem quite different from the older, more "grotesque" figures on the right. Curator: Precisely. Hollar’s work needs to be viewed in the context of emerging scientific methods of the time, methods that attempted to classify and define human beings. Consider the power structures at play here—who is doing the classifying, and what purpose does it serve? Editor: So it's not just about depicting different faces, it's about power dynamics and social commentary? Curator: Exactly. The 'grotesque' wasn't just an aesthetic choice, it was often used to other marginalized groups, a visual language reinforcing social biases. It invites a critical engagement with how difference was, and continues to be, visually constructed. Editor: Wow, I’ll definitely see this piece differently now, keeping in mind the social power structures. Thank you! Curator: And thank you for pointing out its more immediate affect on you! The work truly is in seeing and understanding how our visual assumptions reflect back on us, historically and today.