Artwork
Mercatoris Francofurtensis Vxor
Mercatoris Francofurtensis 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, *Mercatoris Francofurtensis Vxor* is an etching by the Czech-born printmaker Wenceslaus Hollar. Executed during his English period, the work presents a solitary female figure seen from the back, rendered in monochrome. The artist’s signature appears in the lower corner, and the inscription below the image supplies the title, suggesting a specific identity for the sitter.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a woman dressed in a long, fitted gown with a high collar and puffed sleeves, her hair neatly pulled back. Her hands are open, as if she were holding a small object, inviting speculation about the narrative or symbolic content of the scene. The title, translating to “the wife of the Frankfurt merchant,” points to a possible portrait of a merchant’s spouse.
Technique & Style
Hollar employed the etching process, incising fine lines into a copper plate to achieve delicate modeling of fabric and hair. The precision of the line work captures the drapery and texture of 17th‑century clothing, while the stark black‑white palette emphasizes contrast and detail. The print exemplifies Hollar’s reputation for meticulous rendering in both portraiture and genre subjects.
History & Provenance
The print was produced while Hollar was residing in London, where he spent the majority of his career and ultimately was interred. Its survival in collections reflects the artist’s prolific output of prints during his English years, and the work has been documented in catalogues of his etchings since the 19th century.
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.
