Queen
1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1651
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Queen is a 1651 ink by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a group of women in a dramatic scene. One woman kneels, holding a crown, while another stands with her arm outstretched. A third woman looks upward, as if listening. In the background, a building with an archway frames the action, and small figures peer from windows. The border is packed with symbols—a skull, a broken column, and a winged creature—hinting at deeper meaning. The Latin text at the bottom ties it to a biblical verse, suggesting this isn’t just a portrait but a story. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Hollar created such sharp details.
