Artwork
Mulier Generosa Brabantica
Mulier Generosa Brabantica 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
The title at the bottom calls her *"Mulier Generosa Brabantica"*—Latin for "Generous Woman of Brabant.
This black-and-white print shows a woman dressed in old-fashioned clothes. She wears a wide, ruffled collar, a long skirt with swirling patterns, and a tall hat with a feather. One hand rests on her hip, the other holds what looks like a small object. The background is plain, focusing all attention on her.
The title at the bottom calls her *"Mulier Generosa Brabantica"*—Latin for "Generous Woman of Brabant." The artist signed it in 1643, and the lines are sharp, like they were carved into metal.
If you like this style, look up etching to see how artists like this made prints.
Overview
Mulier Generosa Brabantica is an etching created by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1643. The print is a black-and-white depiction of a woman in elaborate attire.
Subject & Meaning
The work shows a woman dressed in old-fashioned clothing, identified by the title as a 'Generous Woman of Brabant.' Her pose, with one hand on her hip and the other holding an object, is the central focus of the image.
Technique & Style
The etching is characterized by sharp lines, achieved through the process of carving into metal. Hollar's style in this work reflects his broader output, which includes detailed landscapes and portraiture.
History & Provenance
Wenceslaus Hollar, a Czech-born engraver and etcher, created this work after relocating from Prague to England, where he spent much of his career.
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.
