Artwork
The Entombment
The Entombment is an ink print by the Baroque artist Wenceslaus Hollar. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1642, *The Entombment* is an etching by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Czech-born printmaker who spent most of his career in England. Executed in black ink on paper, the image presents a somber gathering around a lifeless figure, framed by stark, leaf‑less trees that give the composition a theatrical depth.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts mourners surrounding a body laid upon a simple slab, their garments flowing and postures conveying grief. Though the figures are not explicitly identified, the arrangement evokes the biblical moment of Christ’s burial, inviting contemplation of loss and devotion within a restrained, almost stage‑like setting.
Technique & Style
Hollar employed the etching process, incising lines into a copper plate with acid to achieve fine, controlled marks. The print is distinguished by crisp, linear rendering of fabric folds and the delicate modeling of faces, hallmarks of mid‑17th‑century etching that emphasize clarity over tonal richness.
History & Provenance
During a period when prints served as a primary means of circulating religious imagery, Hollar produced this work alongside his renowned cityscapes and landscapes. He remained active in England until his death in London, and *The Entombment* reflects his consistent use of etching throughout his prolific output.
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.
