1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Child is a 1651 ink by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a small, dramatic scene framed by a grand border. In the center, a woman kneels beside a child, her face turned upward as if praying. A skeleton stands nearby, holding a glowing hourglass, while another skeleton lies dead on the ground. The border is packed with more skeletons, hourglasses, and winged figures—some holding scrolls, others pointing at the scene. The Latin text below reads like a warning: *"Man, born of woman, lives but a short time..."* It’s a reminder that life is fleeting. The artist used sharp lines to make everything feel urgent and heavy. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Hollar created these precise, layered prints.
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 →
