Gezicht op Islington (Londen) met greppel 1665

Wenceslaus Hollar made this etching of Islington in London in 1665. It offers a birds-eye view of the town from a high vantage point, emphasizing the skyline punctuated by church towers and gabled roofs. Hollar was a Bohemian printmaker working in England at a time of great social upheaval. He experienced the English Civil War firsthand, documenting the conflict and its impact on the landscape and urban life. Here, the depiction of Islington can be understood within this context of war, loss, and restoration. Hollar seems to use visual codes to capture a sense of place and to communicate its social and cultural identity. The inclusion of details such as the greppel, or ditch, in the foreground, adds a note of realism, but also perhaps symbolizes division and disruption. By delving into historical records, maps, and other visual materials, we can better appreciate the complex layers of meaning embedded in Hollar's work. Art provides critical insight into society.