Engelse vrouw van stand met maskertje voor het gezicht Possibly 1638 - 1707

This print of an English noblewoman wearing a mask was created by Wenceslaus Hollar using etching. This is a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive power of acid to create an image in metal, which is then inked and printed onto paper. The fine, deliberate lines Hollar used to define the noblewoman's dress and accessories give us a vivid sense of the textures and qualities of the fabrics. The lace, fur and silk all speak to the fashion of the time, and the wealth required to purchase such garments. But the image also prompts us to consider the labor involved in their production. Someone, or more likely many people, would have spun the silk, woven the fabric, and sewn the dress. The skilled labor of the printmaker, and the anonymous labor of garment workers, speaks to broader issues of production, consumption, and class. By drawing attention to materials, making, and social context, we can appreciate a fuller understanding of the artwork. This challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.