Vrouw met kanten hoofdkapje en vierkante kraag 1645

This print of a woman in a lace cap and square collar was made by Wenceslaus Hollar, an etcher active in the 17th century. Hollar was a master of etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive action of acid. First, the artist coats a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. They then scratch an image into the wax, exposing the metal underneath. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves that hold ink. This print is a testament to the intense labor involved in producing these images; the etching reveals the artist's meticulous technique and attention to detail. Hollar's work reflects the growing market for prints and printed images and the increasing circulation of visual information in early modern Europe. By appreciating the labor-intensive making process of this print, we recognize the value and skill involved in producing what might otherwise be seen as a commonplace image. This challenges our assumptions about the hierarchy of art and craft.