Swallow-tailed Butterfly and Twelve Other Insects
1648
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1648
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Swallow-tailed Butterfly and Twelve Other Insects is a 1648 ink by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a group of insects drawn in black and white. The biggest one is a butterfly with long tails and striped wings. Around it are smaller butterflies, beetles, and flying bugs, all carefully detailed. The artist focused on tiny details like antennae and wing patterns. This kind of close-up drawing was common in science books back then. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made precise prints.
