Artwork
Hans von Zurch, Goldsmith
Hans von Zurch, Goldsmith is an ink print by the Baroque artist Wenceslaus Hollar. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The name at the top reads *Hans von Zurch, Goldsmith*, and the year 1647 is marked in the corner.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man in a wide-brimmed hat and a ruffled collar. His face is serious, with deep shadows under his eyes and a slight frown. The lines in the print are sharp, showing the folds of his clothes and the texture of his hat.
The name at the top reads *Hans von Zurch, Goldsmith*, and the year 1647 is marked in the corner. This is an etching, which means the artist used acid to carve the design into metal.
Check out etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Overview
Wenceslaus Hollar, a Czech-born engraver active in 17th‑century England, produced an etching titled *Hans von Zurch, Goldsmith* in 1647. The monochrome print presents a solitary figure engaged in his trade, rendered with the precise line work for which Hollar is renowned. The composition is framed by the artisan’s attire—a wide‑brimmed hat, ruffled collar, and solemn expression—highlighting the dignity of manual labor.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on a goldsmith at his bench, emphasizing the concentration and skill required in metalwork. By isolating the craftsman, Hollar draws attention to the social status of skilled tradespeople in the early modern period, suggesting a quiet respect for the meticulous labor that underpins urban economies.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching, the work was created by coating a metal plate with a resist, drawing the design, and then immersing the plate in acid to bite the lines. Hollar’s handling of the acid‑etched lines yields sharp contours and subtle gradations of shadow, particularly in the folds of clothing and the deep set under the eyes, achieving a tactile sense of texture.
History & Provenance
The print bears the date 1647 and the artist’s signature at the top, confirming its production during Hollar’s most prolific English period. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has circulated among collections of early modern prints, illustrating Hollar’s broader interest in documenting individual occupations alongside his more famous cityscapes.
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.
