Anna Maria, Queen of Spain 

Wenceslaus Hollar created this engraving of Anna Maria, Queen of Spain, in 1662. Notice how Hollar uses the oval frame to concentrate our attention on the queen's likeness. The precise, linear details—rendered in monochrome—demonstrate Hollar's mastery of the engraving medium. The composition reveals a tension between surface and depth. Hollar's strategic use of hatching to create tonal variations suggests form, yet the overall effect is one of intricate flatness. This tension invites a semiotic reading: the queen's formal attire and the meticulously rendered textures of her dress act as signs of status and power. Consider how the medium itself—engraving—contributes to the work's meaning. The sharp, unwavering lines embody a sense of control and order, reflecting the societal structures of the time. The print doesn't merely depict Anna Maria; it presents a constructed image of queenship, inviting ongoing interpretation within the cultural landscape of seventeenth-century Europe.