Who painted Ciuis Norimbergensis Vxor?

Ciuis Norimbergensis Vxor was painted by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1643.

Where can I see Ciuis Norimbergensis Vxor?

Ciuis Norimbergensis Vxor is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Ciuis Norimbergensis Vxor?

Ciuis Norimbergensis Vxor is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Ciuis Norimbergensis Vxor

Wenceslaus Hollar , 1643

Ciuis Norimbergensis Vxor is an ink print by the Baroque artist Wenceslaus Hollar. It dates from 1643 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1643, *Ciuis Norimbergensis Vxor* is an etched print by the Czech-born artist Wenceslaus Hollar, who spent much of his professional life in England. The monochrome image portrays a woman dressed in period attire, rendered with delicate line work that emphasizes the folds of her garment and the texture of her hat and cape.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is identified only by the inscription at the bottom of the plate, which translates to “wife of Ciuis of Nuremberg.” No further documentation clarifies her identity, leaving the portrait’s personal context ambiguous. The composition focuses on the sitter’s clothing and posture, suggesting a formal representation rather than a narrative scene.

Technique & Style

Hollar employed fine, intersecting lines characteristic of mid‑seventeenth‑century etching to model fabric and surface detail.

Hollar employed fine, intersecting lines characteristic of mid‑seventeenth‑century etching to model fabric and surface detail. The artist’s control of line density creates subtle tonal variations, allowing the striped skirt, ruffled collar, and dark cape to emerge with clarity despite the medium’s monochrome limitation. The work exemplifies Hollar’s reputation for precise, observational rendering.

History & Provenance

Born in Prague in 1607, Hollar produced a prolific output of prints after relocating to London, where he died in 1677. *Ciuis Norimbergensis Vxor* belongs to his early English period and reflects the cross‑cultural connections of the time, possibly commissioned by a German patron residing in England. Its survival in museum collections attests to the enduring interest in Hollar’s documentary approach.

Artist & collection

Artist

Wenceslaus Hollar

Wenceslaus Hollar (Czech: Václav Hollar (Czech pronunciation: ), German: Wenzel Hollar; 23 July 1607 – 25 March 1677) was a Czech engraver, etcher and painter.