1646
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dragonflies, a Bumble-Bee, and a Butterfly is a 1646 ink by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Baroque work, depicting Insect, held at National Gallery of Art.
A dragonfly, bumble-bee, and butterfly perch on a leafy stem. Look closely—the bee’s wings are dotted with tiny hair-like lines. Etching lets Hollar scratch details right into metal plates before inking. This wasn’t just a pretty picture; it was part of a big book called *Muscarum Scarabeorum*. Hollar made 32 prints showing bugs and moths in minute detail. Try his *View of the Town of Cesky Krumlov* at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Wenceslaus Hollar (Czech: Václav Hollar (Czech pronunciation: ), German: Wenzel Hollar; 23 July 1607 – 25 March 1677) was a Czech engraver, etcher and painter.
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