Paradise Lost
1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Paradise Lost is a 1651 ink by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a chaotic scene with three figures in the center: a naked man kneeling, an older man holding a staff, and a skeletal figure with a skull head. Around them, clouds and wind swirl, while two smaller figures—one holding a scroll—stand on the sides. At the top, a winged figure floats above, and at the bottom, a full skeleton lies curled up. The border frames the scene with pillars and two standing figures, one holding a clock, the other a hourglass. The Latin text below reads like a Bible quote, tying the scene to a story about punishment and labor. This is an example of etching, a printmaking method where artists etch lines into metal plates.
