Artwork

Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14

Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14, by Wenceslaus Hollar, ink, 1636
Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14, by Wenceslaus Hollar, ink, 1636

Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14 is an ink print by the Baroque artist Wenceslaus Hollar. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:recto: in plate, at upper right: 14; on mount at lower right in graphite in later hand: 26 / Collection B. Koller / (Lugt 384) / P1661; verso: none
Markings
Marked:recto: none; verso: Bernhard Keller (Lugt 384)

About this work

Overview

Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14 is a 1636 etching on laid paper by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Czech-born artist active in England. This black and white portrait focuses on a young girl with shoulder-length curly hair, a white-collared dress, and puffy sleeves, rendered against an unseen background with direct, neutral gaze.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a youthful female figure, is portrayed with a straightforward, unemotional expression, inviting interpretation of her character. The artwork's meaning may lie in its representation of youthful innocence or a specific, unidentified individual from Hollar's milieu.

Technique & Style

Executed with precise etching techniques, the work showcases Hollar's mastery of delicate lines, subtle shading, and chiaroscuro, aligning with the detailed, expressive qualities of the Baroque style.

History & Provenance

Created in 1636, this etching is now part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington, D.C., reflecting Hollar's contribution to portrait etchings alongside his more renowned cityscapes and landscapes.

Seated Cavalier with His Arm Akimbo
Seated Cavalier with His Arm Akimbo, Jan Miel

Artist & collection

Portrait of Wenceslaus Hollar

Artist

Wenceslaus Hollar

Wenceslaus Hollar (Czech: Václav Hollar (Czech pronunciation: ), German: Wenzel Hollar; 23 July 1607 – 25 March 1677) was a Czech engraver, etcher and painter.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14?

Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14 was painted by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1636.

Where can I see Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14?

Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14 is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14?

Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14 is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Young Girl, Plate 14 are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.