Engelse vrouw van stand met sluier en waaier 1640 - 1707

This print of an English noblewoman, was made by Wenceslaus Hollar using etching, a printmaking technique. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called a ground. The artist then draws through this ground with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. When the plate is dipped in acid, lines are etched into the metal where it’s been exposed. The plate is then inked, and the ink held in the etched lines is transferred to paper under high pressure. Hollar's skill with the etching needle allowed him to capture the textures and details of the woman's garments, from the delicate lace of her veil to the fur trim of her gown. The print conveys a sense of luxury and refinement, reflective of the noblewoman's social standing. Prints like these were made to be consumed. They circulated widely as documents of fashion and status, reflecting early modern Europe's burgeoning culture of consumerism and display. The choice of printmaking as a medium also speaks to a tension between art and industry, craft and fine art.