Two deformed heads facing inwards 1645

This tiny print of two grotesque heads was made by Wenceslaus Hollar, a prolific 17th-century Bohemian printmaker. Hollar was celebrated for his skill with etching, a demanding intaglio process. The image begins with a metal plate, typically copper, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Hollar would then use a needle to scratch away the ground, exposing the metal. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are etched into the surface. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you can see how Hollar used his etching needle with incredible precision to render the minute details of the faces. The density of the lines creates areas of shadow and depth, and the cross-hatching gives a sense of texture to the skin. The whole image speaks to Hollar's extraordinary skill and labor, elevating printmaking to an art form.