Who painted Man with Beard Looking Right (Hans Holbein?)?

Man with Beard Looking Right (Hans Holbein?) was painted by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1646.

Where can I see Man with Beard Looking Right (Hans Holbein?)?

Man with Beard Looking Right (Hans Holbein?) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Man with Beard Looking Right (Hans Holbein?)?

Man with Beard Looking Right (Hans Holbein?) is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Man with Beard Looking Right (Hans Holbein?)

Wenceslaus Hollar , 1646

Man with Beard Looking Right (Hans Holbein?) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Wenceslaus Hollar. It dates from 1646 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1646, this black‑and‑white print presents a solitary figure with a full beard, curly hair and a wide‑brimmed hat.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1646, this black‑and‑white print presents a solitary figure with a full beard, curly hair and a wide‑brimmed hat. The sitter turns his gaze to the right, his loose collar and the texture of his facial hair rendered with delicate, intersecting lines that give the image a tactile quality. The work exemplifies the meticulous approach of its maker, a noted 17th‑century printmaker.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait captures an anonymous man, his expression calm yet attentive as he looks sideways. The emphasis on facial detail and the modest attire suggest a focus on individual character rather than status, inviting viewers to consider the sitter’s personal presence rather than a specific narrative.

Technique & Style

Executed as an etching, the image was produced by incising the design into a metal plate with acid, then printing onto paper. Hollar’s hallmark fine‑line method appears in the intricate rendering of the beard and hat brim, where closely spaced strokes create subtle shading and texture, while the overall composition remains restrained and precise.

History & Provenance

The print is attributed to Wenceslaus Hollar, a Czech‑born engraver who settled in England after leaving Prague. Hollar, active from the early 1620s until his death in 1677, is celebrated for his detailed city views and topographical works. This portrait, dated 1646, reflects his broader oeuvre of portraiture and demonstrates his skill in transferring nuanced observation onto paper.

Artist & collection

Artist

Wenceslaus Hollar

Wenceslaus Hollar (Czech: Václav Hollar (Czech pronunciation: ), German: Wenzel Hollar; 23 July 1607 – 25 March 1677) was a Czech engraver, etcher and painter.