Insignes van de orde van de Kousenband 1666

Wenceslaus Hollar made this print depicting the insignia of the Order of the Garter. He worked in the etching technique, biting lines into a metal plate with acid, and then using it to print multiple impressions. The image details the elaborate garments and badges associated with the Order of the Garter, a British order of chivalry. Notice the incredible detail that Hollar achieved, capturing the textures of velvet, embroidery, and even the glint of precious stones. Consider the labor that went into producing these items. Highly skilled artisans were needed to create such luxurious objects, all of which were ultimately meant to signal power and status. Hollar’s print, by meticulously documenting these status symbols, offers a glimpse into the hierarchies of 17th-century European society. He transformed these aristocratic garments into a commodity, available for purchase in print form. Ultimately, the print reminds us that even seemingly rarefied objects are rooted in material realities and social contexts.