Winter: The Parade Ground c. 1628 - 1629

Wenceslaus Hollar's etching "Winter: The Parade Ground" (c. 1628-1629) offers a detailed glimpse into 17th-century life in a bustling European city square. The scene depicts a frozen parade ground teeming with people engaging in various winter activities, from ice skating and sledding to strolling and socializing. Hollar's masterful use of line and detail creates a sense of both the grandeur of the buildings and the intimacy of the everyday life unfolding before the viewer. This work showcases Hollar's talent for capturing the specific details of a moment in time, highlighting his mastery of the etching technique, a popular artistic practice in the 17th century.