Bust of Hollar in a Circular Frame (published in Vertue's, Description of the Works of the Ingenious Delineator & Engraver, Wenceslaus Hollar) 1745

George Vertue's engraving immortalizes Wenceslaus Hollar within a circular frame, a form echoing ancient Roman portrait medallions, symbols of enduring memory. Consider the laurel wreath implied by the circular frame. The wreath, a motif of triumph and immortality since classical antiquity, connects Hollar to a lineage of celebrated figures. This symbol transcends time; from adorning emperors to Renaissance poets, it speaks to an enduring human desire for recognition. Yet, the circular form can also imply the cyclical nature of time and the inevitable return to oblivion. These symbols are not static. They evolve, their meanings refracted through the lens of each new era. As we gaze upon Hollar's likeness, we are reminded that the past is not a distant land, but a living presence. The symbols and emotional weight of the image is always resurfacing, always evolving.