Product Description
A set of four small antique 17th century etchings of women from ‘Aula Veneris’ series by Wenceslaus Hollar dating from circa 1650, beautifully mounted and framed in modern gilt wood frames. These charming costume plates are drawn and engraved by Wencelaus Hollar, the renowned seventeenth century engraver who worked in both Germany and England. The etchings are from “Theatrum Mulierum” (The Theatre of Women) with Latin and German titles, depicting women in European national dress.
Prints of men and women in costume were a popular genre for collectors of the seventeenth century. Hollar would have seen these simple, small-scale prints as an opportunity to take advantage of that market, and he produced several groups of costume prints in the 1630s and 1640s.
Wenceslaus Von Prachna Hollar was a prolific and accomplished Bohemian graphic artist of the seventeenth century. His work embraced a great variety of subjects, including scenes from the bible, historical pictures, maps, portraits of his chief contemporaries, views of cities, flower and fruit pieces, and various illustrations to books. His clever sketches of costume, his views of old London and other cities are invaluable to the historian. His engravings are executed with much spirit and carefully finished. Having produced more than 3000 different prints during his career, his works can be found in every major museum collection from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the National Gallery in London.
Construction/Wood:
Gilt Framed
Condition Report:
Good original condition. General wear and marks commensurate with age.
Dimensions:
Frame Width: 23cm
Height: 28cm
Depth: 2cm
Etching Width: 8cm
Etching Height: 11cm
