Ver - Spring 1641

This print, "Ver - Spring", was made by Wenceslaus Hollar, who was active in the 17th century, using the process of etching. The controlled lines and textures result from the careful application of acid to a metal plate, a skilled and laborious process. Hollar was celebrated for his ability to capture minute detail, often in the service of depicting fashion and social life. Here, a woman embodies the season of spring through her dress and flowers. Note, in particular, the juxtaposition of the bouquet she holds, against the growing arrangement in the vase. Her fur-lined cape, meanwhile, signals a moment of transition between winter and warmer temperatures. Hollar made his living by producing prints for a growing market of collectors, and his work offers a valuable record of the material culture of his time. His technical virtuosity elevated printmaking to a high art, challenging traditional hierarchies of artistic media.