Nun
1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Nun is a 1651 ink by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a woman kneeling in prayer, her hands clasped, while a robed figure leans in beside her. Above them, two cherubs hold a skull and a book. The room behind them has arched windows and a bed with heavy curtains. On the sides, two bearded men stand holding objects—one a scroll, the other a skull—while at the bottom, more cherubs play with skulls and hourglasses. The border around the scene is packed with tiny figures and symbols, like a frame full of stories. The Latin text at the bottom reads like a warning: *"This is the path that seems just to man, but we lead him to death."* Next, check out etching to see how artists like Hollar carved these sharp, detailed lines.
