Artwork
Mercatoris Londinensis Filia
Mercatoris Londinensis Filia 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 by the Czech-born engraver Wenceslaus Hollar, this etching presents a solitary female figure rendered in monochrome.
Created in 1643 by the Czech-born engraver Wenceslaus Hollar, this etching presents a solitary female figure rendered in monochrome. The composition shows the woman in profile, dressed in a patterned gown with a dark cape, a cap securing her hair, and a small bag in her hand, standing on a simple wooden floor. The work exemplifies Hollar’s characteristic attention to detail and his use of line to convey texture.
Subject & Meaning
The inscription at the top identifies the sitter as a “merchants’ daughter,” suggesting a modest yet respectable social status within 17th‑century London. The attire and accessories reflect contemporary fashion for a middle‑class woman, while the unadorned floor and informal pose convey a sense of everyday domesticity rather than formal portraiture.
Technique & Style
Hollar employed the traditional etching process, incising the image onto a copper plate with acid-resistant ground before exposing it to acid. The resulting lines vary from fine hatching to broader strokes, producing a slightly sketchy, textured appearance. This method allowed the artist to achieve the delicate rendering of fabric patterns and the subtle tonal contrasts evident in the print.
History & Provenance
The print originates from Hollar’s productive period in England, where he documented urban and architectural scenes alongside genre subjects. Though primarily known for cityscapes, this work demonstrates his versatility in portraiture. The piece bears Hollar’s signature in the lower corner, confirming authorship, and has been recorded in several European print collections since the mid‑17th 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.
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