Who painted Margaret Lemon?

Margaret Lemon was painted by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1646.

Where can I see Margaret Lemon?

Margaret Lemon is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Margaret Lemon?

Margaret Lemon is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Margaret Lemon

Wenceslaus Hollar , 1646

Margaret Lemon is an ink print by the Baroque artist Wenceslaus Hollar. It dates from 1646 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

She’s wearing a high-necked dress with a ruffled collar, and her right hand holds a bouquet of flowers.

This is a black-and-white portrait of a woman with curly hair and a pearl necklace. She’s wearing a high-necked dress with a ruffled collar, and her right hand holds a bouquet of flowers. The dark background makes her face stand out sharply.

The text below her name reads *"Marguerite Lemon Anglaise"* and includes a poem in French. The artist’s signature and the year 1646 are also printed at the bottom.

Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.

Overview

Created in 1646, this black‑and‑white etching presents a portrait of a woman identified as Margaret Lemon. The image shows her with curly hair, a pearl necklace, and a high‑necked dress with a ruffled collar, holding a bouquet of flowers against a dark backdrop that emphasizes her face.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, likely Margaret Lemon, appears linked to the artist’s social circle in mid‑17th‑century London. An inscription beneath the portrait reads “Marguerite Lemon Anglaise” and includes a short French poem, suggesting a personal or literary connection that frames the work as a commemorative likeness.

Technique & Style

Wenceslaus Hollar employed etching, a printmaking method that allows fine line work and subtle tonal variation. The crisp delineation of the hair, jewelry, and fabric, combined with the stark contrast between the illuminated figure and the shadowed background, exemplifies Hollar’s meticulous approach to portraiture.

History & Provenance

Hollar, a Czech‑born engraver who spent most of his career in England, produced this work during a prolific period when he focused on etchings and paintings. The piece bears his signature and the date 1646, confirming its creation within his London phase.

Context

The portrait aligns with Hollar’s broader output of detailed cityscapes and landscapes, yet it demonstrates his versatility in rendering intimate, individualized subjects. The inclusion of a French verse reflects the multilingual cultural milieu of London’s artistic community in the 1640s.

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.