Boar and Mastiff 1662 - 1663

Wenceslaus Hollar's "Boar and Mastiff" (1662-1663) is an etching that depicts a wild boar and a mastiff dog, framed by detailed botanical illustrations. The piece is a beautiful example of Hollar's masterful use of line and detail to create a sense of realism. The boar, labeled "Aper a Beare" (boar as a bear), stands on the left, while the mastiff, labeled "Molossus a Mastiff" (mastiff as a mastiff), stands on the right. In the center, a thistle plant grows between the two animals, and the surrounding space is filled with a variety of plants and insects, including raspberries, a white lily, and a variety of beetles and butterflies. The image was created for Hollar's 1662 publication "A Collection of the Most Curious Birds, Flowers, Fruits, and Insects".