Princeps Maria Henrici VIII Regis Angliæ Filia
Original title: Princeps Maria Henrici VIII Regis Angliæ Filia
kurzbeschreibung
In 1647 Wenceslaus Hollar etched this portrait of Princess Mary, later Queen Mary I of England, after a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger. The young woman appears in a bust-length view, wearing a traditional headdress and a pearl necklace.
Description
Mary occupies the foreground, tightly framed, while the dark background recedes and makes her pale garment stand out clearly. A headdress with a veil covers her hair; a string of pearls closes at her throat. Her gaze is serious and thoughtful, and her features are rendered with clear, precise detail. Along the bottom edge run the Latin title and the inscriptions 'Holbein pinxit' and 'W. Hollar fecit, ex Collectione Arundeliana, 1647'. The arrangement is calm and symmetrical, with sharp contours and delicate lines.
Context
The print was made in Antwerp in 1647, while Hollar was working for Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel. Its model was a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger showing Mary as a child or young woman. It belongs to a series of portraits of the English royal family that Hollar produced for the Arundel collection. Mary, later Queen Mary I (r. 1553–1558), was the eldest daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.
Impact
The dark ground and the light garment create a solemn, dignified mood. The serious expression and the precise linework give the portrait a detached, formal aura. The layout feels clear and balanced, reinforcing the sitter's importance.
Technique
Hollar worked as an etcher: lines were bitten into a metal plate that had been coated with an acid-resistant layer. With fine, precise strokes he recorded shading and details such as fabric, veil, and pearls. This sheet is the first of four states, suggesting careful reworking of the plate.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)