Winter 1629

Wenceslaus Hollar made this print, titled "Winter," using etching, a printmaking technique, sometime in the 17th century. Hollar, who was born in Prague, spent much of his career in England. He was a prolific artist, celebrated for his detailed cityscapes and portraits. The etching process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy substance, drawing through the wax to expose the metal, and then immersing the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating lines that hold ink. The plate is then printed onto paper, transferring the image. The fine lines of the etching allow Hollar to create a vivid depiction of daily life in winter. You can see people huddled together, seeking warmth and conviviality, and we get a sense of the social fabric of 17th-century life, with its celebrations, rituals, and everyday struggles. Looking at the original print, we can appreciate how Hollar’s mastery of the etching process allows us to connect with a specific time and place, offering a window into the lives of people long gone. This work shows us that an etching can be more than just a picture; it's a cultural document.