The Stone Bridge 1649

Wenceslaus Hollar's 1649 etching "The Stone Bridge" depicts a picturesque landscape, showcasing the artist's meticulous attention to detail. The composition features a dramatic rocky cliff face dominating the left side of the scene, receding into the distance, while a serene river winds its way through the valley, culminating in a small stone bridge in the foreground. Hollar's masterful use of line and shading evokes a sense of depth and light, revealing the artist's keen observation of nature. The etching, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, exemplifies Hollar's contribution to the development of landscape art in the 17th century.