1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Abbess is a 1651 ink by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a ghostly skeleton pulling a robed woman toward a tomb. Two other figures stand nearby—one holding a staff, the other a globe. The scene is framed by a border with more skeletons and classical columns. The Latin text below reads *"Laudam magis mortuos quam viventes"* ("I praise the dead more than the living"). This was part of a series Hollar made on death and time. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Hollar carved images into metal plates.
Wenceslaus Hollar (Czech: Václav Hollar (Czech pronunciation: ), German: Wenzel Hollar; 23 July 1607 – 25 March 1677) was a Czech engraver, etcher and painter.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
