Artwork
Virgo Nuptialis Argentinensis
Virgo Nuptialis Argentinensis is an ink print by the Baroque artist Wenceslaus Hollar. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1647, *Virgo Nuptialis Argentinensis* is an etching by the Czech-born printmaker Wenceslaus Hollar, who spent the majority of his professional life in England. Executed on a single plate, the work exemplifies the meticulous line work for which Hollar is celebrated, particularly in his portrayals of figures and architectural subjects during the mid‑seventeenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a solitary woman clad in a dark, floor‑length gown with puffed sleeves, a high neckline, and a hat crowned by an ornamental motif. She grasps a cord or rope, a detail that may allude to marital symbolism, while the sparse background and accompanying inscription in the upper right suggest a focus on the figure’s identity rather than narrative context.
Technique & Style
Hollar employs fine etched lines to render the texture of fabric and the delicate shading that gives the figure a three‑dimensional presence. The contrast between the dark dress and the lighter highlights, achieved through varied line density, reflects the Baroque penchant for chiaroscuro and demonstrates the artist’s command of depth within the constraints of a monochrome print.
History & Provenance
The etching was produced during Hollar’s most productive period in London, where he later died and was interred. Although primarily known for expansive cityscapes, this portrait‑type work illustrates the breadth of his output. Surviving copies have appeared in collections of seventeenth‑century prints, confirming its circulation among connoisseurs of the era.
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.
