Open full image Pin
Three Caterpillars, a Moth, and Four Butterflies, by Wenceslaus Hollar, ink, 1648

Three Caterpillars, a Moth, and Four Butterflies

Wenceslaus Hollar

1648

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

Three Caterpillars, a Moth, and Four Butterflies is a 1648 ink by Wenceslaus Hollar, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?
Wenceslaus Hollar
When & what style?
1648 · Baroque
Where can I see it?
National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a collection of insects, including three caterpillars, a moth, and four butterflies. The insects are arranged in a loose grid, with the caterpillars at the top and the butterflies at the bottom. The moth is centered in the middle. The insects are drawn in a detailed, realistic style, with visible textures and patterns on their bodies. The image is rendered in black and white, with varying shades of gray used to create depth and dimension. The background is a plain, off-white color, which helps the insects stand out. The overall effect is one of simplicity and elegance, with a focus on showcasing the beauty of these small creatures. If you're interested in learning more about this style of art, you might want to explore the Baroque movement.

About the artist

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.

See the richer artist page

More by Wenceslaus Hollar

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app