Václav Wenzel Hollar

Born July 13, 1607, in Prague; died Mar. 28, 1677, in London. Czech graphic artist.

Hollar studied in Frankfurt am Main with M. Merian from 1627 to 1628. After 1637 he lived primarily in London, except from 1644 to 1652, when he lived in Antwerp. Hollar produced mostly etchings, frequently in the form of illustrative series. His works include portraits, depictions of women’s costumes, and animal scenes. Hollar is particularly well known for his city views, or vedute (for example, A View of Prague, 1649), which combine topographic accuracy and a poetic expression of the boundlessness of the world.