Head of Executioner, from John Evelyn's Sculptura

"Head of Executioner, from John Evelyn's Sculptura" is an engraving by Richard Houston, an Irish artist active in the 18th century, based on a mezzotint by Prince Rupert of the Rhine, a German artist and soldier. The work is associated with John Evelyn's "Sculptura," a treatise on engraving published in 1662, which discusses the art of printmaking and includes references to Prince Rupert's contributions to the development of the mezzotint technique.

The mezzotint "Head of Executioner, from John Evelyn's Sculptura" by Richard Houston, after Prince Rupert of the Rhine, presents a detailed and somber portrayal of an executioner, characterized by its dramatic use of chiaroscuro that emphasizes the contours and textures of the figure's face. The work, executed in black on ivory laid paper, captures the intensity and gravitas of the subject through its meticulous rendering and tonal depth, typical of the mezzotint technique.