Artwork
Swallow-tailed Butterfly and Twelve Other Insects
Swallow-tailed Butterfly and Twelve Other Insects is an ink print by the Baroque artist Wenceslaus Hollar. It dates from 1648 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Swallow-tailed Butterfly and Twelve Other Insects is an etching on laid paper created by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1648. The work showcases Hollar's skill in detailed representation, characteristic of his engravings and etchings.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a group of thirteen insects, including a prominent swallow-tailed butterfly, rendered in precise detail. The level of detail reflects the period's scientific interest in natural history and the emerging field of entomology.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching on laid paper, the work demonstrates Hollar's mastery of printmaking techniques. The use of black and white allows for a focus on texture and detail, highlighting the artist's ability to capture the intricate features of the insects.
Context
The work is part of a broader trend in 17th-century art and science, where detailed observation and representation of natural subjects were increasingly valued. Such detailed studies were often used in scientific publications.
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.
Three Caterpillars, a Moth, and Four Butterflies
Moth, Butterflies, and Bees
Dragonfly, Ladybirds, and Butterflies
Moth, Three Butterflies, and Two Beetles
Five Butterflies and a Moth
Five Butterflies, a Moth, a Beetle, and a Spider
Two Butterflies, a Wasp, and a Moth
Six Insects, a Caterpillar, and a Snail
Plate 19: Two Butterflies with Five Other Insects
Plate 13: Yellow Swallowtail and Red Admiral Butterflies with a Dragonfly (Broad-Bodied Chaser?)
Six Insects
Muscarum Scarabeorum, vermiumque Variae Figure & Formae: A Moth, Three Butterflies and Two Beetles