Vrouw met opgestoken haar, schuin op de rug gezien 1645

This print of a woman with styled hair was made by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1645, using etching. It’s a technique that involves drawing with a needle on a coated metal plate, then bathing it in acid. The acid bites into the exposed lines, which are then inked and printed. The material quality of etching allows for incredibly fine detail. Look closely, and you'll see the intricate rendering of the woman's up-do, the delicate curls at the nape of her neck, and the texture of her gown. Hollar was a master of this process, and prints like this were highly sought after. They circulated as fashionable novelties, and also as sources of inspiration for artisans. The print effectively democratized design ideas, making them accessible to a broad audience. We might even see this as an early form of mass media, connecting the skilled labor of the artist to the fashion and craft industries of the time. Understanding the materials, making process, and social context allows us to fully appreciate the artistry and cultural significance of this seemingly simple image, and challenges the conventional separations between fine art, craft, and design.