Lady Mary Butts
Original title: Lady Mary Butts
kurzbeschreibung
Wenceslaus Hollar made this bust-length etching of Lady Mary Butts in 1649; it is the first state of three. The plate measures 13.2 × 9.2 cm and shows the noblewoman in the dress of her time.
Description
She wears a patterned headdress that recalls traditional forms, with a dark, fur-like garment over it. Her gaze meets the viewer directly, and her expression stays serious and thoughtful. The background is left empty, and the figure fills almost the entire image. Black and white with graded gray tones defines the etching; signature and date appear at the bottom.
Context
Hollar, a Bohemian printmaker, was active in England during the English Civil War. The portrait of Lady Mary Butts, a member of the English nobility, was made in 1649—the year of Charles I's execution. Hollar portrayed many aristocrats and well-known figures of his era.
Impact
The direct gaze and serious face give the image an immediate yet restrained presence. Fine lines and even lighting create a calm, concentrated air. The plain arrangement keeps attention entirely on the sitter.
Technique
Etching involves scratching lines through an acid-resistant ground and then biting them with acid. Hollar's precise style is marked by fine hatching and linework. This sheet was printed with plate tone and has a narrow margin outside the plate mark.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)