Wenceslaus Hollar (1607 - 1677)
 
This is a selection trying to show the huge range of Hollar's draughtsmanship as applied to his beloved print medium.

see Bird's Eye View Generally see London in the Bird's Eye View
 

01 Hollar's etching of a group of muffs on a table dated 1647 and measuring 11 x 20 cms. This is a study in structures and textures with the sort of drawing and nuance of texture we would expect of Degas or Tissot.

02 a self portrait

03 WINTER, four engravings of the Seasons each of a woman in appropriate costume showing Cornhill and tthe Old Exchange in the background
 
   
04 another fascination with texture and the fall of light, Hollar's engraving of shells from the set of 38 etchings, undated various sizes.

05 Lombard and Hollar, illustrations to John Ogilby's The Works of Publius Virgilius Maro , one of the most sumptuous illustrated books of the seventeenth century. Hollar was one of the greatest of all topographical draftsmen - so much so that much of his philosophical speculation and esoteric imagery is overlooked. He was a pioneer of using the etching process to produce images in volume for the commercial market.

06 One of four engravings by Hollar of English Views, here Tothill Fields, 9 x 17ccms.

07 Hollar's curious rendition of the Forces of Fate, Sacra Nemesis, 10 x 14 cms; flies caught in a web, the conventional symbol of the eagle and a candle waiting to be snuffed.