Vrouw met kanten kraag, parelketting en gekruld haar 1646

This print of a woman with a lace collar, pearl necklace, and curled hair was made by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1645. It's an etching, a process where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then filled with ink and printed. Hollar was a master of capturing textures, evident in the delicate lace and the sheen of the pearls, showcasing not just his skill but also the value placed on these meticulously crafted items in 17th-century society. The precise work involved in creating lace at this time mirrors the meticulous detail Hollar achieved in his printmaking. Consider how the labor-intensive process of etching is similar to that of lace-making; it’s a kind of proto-industrial skill, and demonstrates the cultural importance of fine craftsmanship. By focusing on such details, Hollar elevates the portrait beyond a mere likeness, to a comment on the material culture of his time.