Five Butterflies, a Moth, a Beetle, and a Spider
1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Five Butterflies, a Moth, a Beetle, and a Spider is a 1646 ink by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows six insects drawn in black and white. Five are butterflies with different wing patterns—some dotted, some striped. One is a moth with feathery antennae. A beetle and a spider are tucked in the corners. The insects rest on thin branches, and the whole scene is precise and detailed. The artist used a technique that lets them carve lines into metal plates, then press ink into those grooves. This creates sharp, crisp lines like the ones here. Next, look up etching to see how this method works.
