Solomon and the Queen of Sheba 1642

This print depicting Solomon and the Queen of Sheba was made by Wenceslaus Hollar using etching. This intaglio printmaking process involves drawing with a sharp needle on a metal plate coated with wax. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, it is pressed onto paper. Notice the incredible level of detail, which shows the artist’s mastery of the technique. The printmaking process, as opposed to drawing or painting, allowed for the distribution of imagery to a wider audience. Hollar made many such prints, and his work speaks to the rise of a more broadly accessible visual culture. By understanding the way in which it was made, we can better understand its place in the world.