Wenceslaus Hollar

A cheerful person, Hollar was regarded with affection

by those who knew him. The English writer John Aubrey

noted that he was ‘a very friendly [and] good-natured

man as could be’.

For our inspection, the slightly cautious Hollar presents

an example of his work: an etched plate of St Catherine

after a painting by Raphael from the Earl of Arundel’s

collection. On the table we see his printmaker’s

tools, including etching needles and a bottle of acid.

Hollar proudly advertises his artistic attainments while

also highlighting his status as a gentleman through

the inclusion of his coat of arms (upper left). This

self-portrait was etched for a series of 100 prints

published by Johannes Meyssens in Antwerp which

commemorated well-known figures of that time.

To find out which artworks are available for print requests and reproduction please enquire here. This service only applies to select artworks in the Gallery's collection.