Basel Woman 1644

Wenceslaus Hollar made this print of a "Basel Woman" in 1644, using the etching technique. The image is made through meticulously incised lines on a metal plate, which holds ink and then transfers the image onto paper through a printing press. Consider the labor involved: the skilled hand of the etcher, the paper maker, the press operator. The lines create tonal variation, describing her distinctive regional dress. Notice the tall hat, fur-lined bodice, and voluminous skirt. The print wasn't intended as a portrait of a specific woman, but rather a study of local customs and costumes. Hollar, who travelled extensively, made many such images, and they served a ready market for those interested in the wider world. The etching medium itself allowed for the relatively quick reproduction and dissemination of these images, fitting right in with the developing world of international commerce and early capitalism. So even this modest little print offers a window onto a world in motion.