Matrona Argentinensis

Matrona Argentinensis

Wenceslaus Hollar

1642

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This is a black-and-white portrait of a woman dressed in old-fashioned clothes. She wears a long, dark coat with a high collar, a white ruff around her neck, and a hat with a wide brim. Her hands are clasped in front of her, and she stands against a plain background. The title at the bottom, *Matrona Argentinensis*, suggests this might be a woman from Argentina, but the style looks like it’s from a different time. The artist used a technique that creates fine lines and shading. If you like this style, check out etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.

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