Artwork
Abbess
Abbess is an ink print by the Baroque artist Wenceslaus Hollar. It dates from 1651 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Abbess is a 1651 etching by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Czech-born artist active in England, featuring a complex scene framed by a border titled 'Time and Eternity' (Pennington 233C).
Subject & Meaning
Nearby, one figure holds a staff (symbolizing authority or guidance), and another grasps a globe (representing worldly power or knowledge).
The etching depicts a dramatic allegory of mortality: a robed figure, likely an abbess, is pulled toward a tomb by a skeleton. Nearby, one figure holds a staff (symbolizing authority or guidance), and another grasps a globe (representing worldly power or knowledge). The Latin inscription 'Laudam magis mortuos quam viventes' ('I praise the dead more than the living') underscores the theme of transience.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching, a technique where designs are corroded into metal plates with acid, Abbess showcases Hollar's mastery of line work and detail, contrasting with the more common landscapes and cityscapes in his oeuvre. The inclusion of a themed border, complete with skeletons and classical columns, adds depth and reinforces the central message.
History & Provenance
Created in 1651 while Hollar was working in London, Abbess is part of a thematic series by the artist exploring death and the passage of time. Specific provenance details are not provided here, indicating the work's significance lies in its thematic and technical aspects within Hollar's broader output.
Context
Emerging during the mid-17th century, a time of significant social and religious upheaval in England, Abbess reflects contemporary preoccupations with mortality and the afterlife. Hollar's choice of subject may also speak to the introspection characteristic of the period.
Legacy
As part of Hollar's thematic series on mortality, Abbess contributes to the artist's reputation for versatility beyond his renowned landscapes. The work's allegorical depth and technical precision ensure its place in the study of 17th-century European printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Wenceslaus Hollar (Czech: Václav Hollar (Czech pronunciation: ), German: Wenzel Hollar; 23 July 1607 – 25 March 1677) was a Czech engraver, etcher and painter.
