Three Etchings of Skulls

Details

WENCESLAUS HOLLAR (1607-1677)
Three Etchings of Skulls
A Skull resting on a Stone Block (after Leonardo da Vinci)
1645
on laid paper, without watermark
a very good, tonal impression of this rare print
with narrow margins;
Sectioned Skull in Profile to Left with the Left side of the Cranium removed (after Leonardo da Vinci)
1651
on laid paper, without watermark
a very good impression of this rare print
with margins;
Skull and Cross Bones
1652
on laid paper, without watermark
a very good impression of this rare print, second, final state
with small margins;
together with A Study of Hat by Johann Friedrich Morgenstern (1777–1844)
etching
1797
on thick laid paper, without watermark
a fine impression
with margins
Plate 78 x 92 mm., Sheet 81 x 93 mm. (A Skull resting)
Plate 70 x 76 mm., Sheet 90 x 95 mm. (Sectioned Skull)
Plate 49 x 57 mm., Sheet 58 x 66 mm. (Skull and Cross Bones)
Plate 63 x 76 mm., Sheet 76 x 85 mm. (Study of Hat)(4)

Provenance

Hugh Melville Howard, Earl of Wicklow (1883-1919) (Lugt 1280b) (Sectioned Skull only).
Christopher Mendez (1943-2025), London; then by descent to present owners.

Literature

Pennington 1773-1775; New Hollstein 1179, 793, 1196 (Hollar)
Nagler 36 (Morgenstern)

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Stefano Franceschi Specialist

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

sfranceschi@christies.com +44 (0) 20 7752 3103

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Lot Essay

Chris Mendez liked skulls, but also had a penchant for hats and other headgear, and the head to wear them with flair. It is not surprising that he felt drawn to Hollar's skulls - and to the charming but unassuming little 'portrait of a hat' by Morgenstern.

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