Two Deformed Heads with Very Long Upper Lips 1645

Wenceslaus Hollar’s 1645 etching *Two Deformed Heads with Very Long Upper Lips* depicts two figures with exaggerated features, a common theme in Hollar’s work, that was popular in the 17th century. The artist uses cross-hatching to create a sense of volume and depth. The figures’ deformities are both humorous and unsettling, providing viewers with an intriguing combination of realism and exaggeration. The piece is now part of the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.