Head of Young Man

Wenceslaus Hollar created this small etching, titled "Head of a Young Man," sometime before his death in 1677. During this era portraiture was governed by strict social conventions which dictated who was worthy of representation. Hollar, however, produced many portraits of ordinary people from different social strata, challenging the norms of his time. Look closely at the young man’s androgynous features and loose, flowing locks. The lack of adornment suggests a certain vulnerability, diverging from the era's emphasis on representing power and status. It seems Hollar isn't only interested in the surface, but also in capturing something deeper, more intimate. Through his choice of subject, Hollar invites us to look beyond the rigid social structures of the 17th century. He asks us to consider the individual, and perhaps even to see a bit of ourselves in this subtly rendered face.