Artwork
Lady Catherine Howard
Lady Catherine Howard is an ink print by the Baroque artist Wenceslaus Hollar. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
She’s wearing a lace collar and a pearl necklace, with a striped bodice that has a decorative brooch.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a woman with wavy hair pulled back. She’s wearing a lace collar and a pearl necklace, with a striped bodice that has a decorative brooch. The background is plain, keeping all focus on her face.
The artist used fine lines to show her features clearly, which was tricky in this style. The text below her name says she was 13 in 1644, which seems young for a portrait like this.
Check out how this was made using etching.
Overview
Wenceslaus Hollar, a Czech-born printmaker active in England, produced an etching titled *Lady Catherine Howard* in 1642. The work presents a monochrome portrait of the Tudor noblewoman, known historically as the fifth spouse of King Henry VIII, rendered with precise line work that emphasizes her facial features.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is identified as Lady Catherine Howard, whose brief marriage to Henry VIII placed her among the tumultuous figures of the Tudor court. The portrait’s restrained composition, focusing solely on her face and upper attire, suggests an intent to highlight personal identity rather than regal pageantry.
Technique & Style
Hollar employed the etching process, incising fine lines into a copper plate to achieve delicate rendering of hair, lace, and jewelry. The use of a plain background eliminates distraction, directing attention to the intricate details of the lace collar, pearl necklace, and decorative brooch on her striped bodice.
Context
An inscription beneath the image records the subject’s age as thirteen in 1644, a detail that appears incongruous with the portrait’s mature presentation. This discrepancy may reflect a later addition or a misreading of the original caption.
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.
