Duke
1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Duke is a 1651 ink by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a group of men in fancy clothes, standing in a courtyard. One man in the center is dressed like a noble, holding a scroll, while others crowd around him. Above them, a building with columns frames the scene, and the edges of the print are packed with strange symbols—skulls, tools, and winged creatures. Notice how the text below reads like a warning: *"Princeps induetur maerore"* (something about sorrow and power). The mix of serious faces and creepy border art suggests this isn’t just a portrait—it’s a lesson in disguise. Want to know more? Check out etching to see how artists like Hollar made prints like this.
