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Description

This engraving by Wenceslaus Hollar is based on a self-portrait of the artist Adriaen van de Venne, from a series entitle Image de divers hommes.

The portrait presents Van de Venne nearly half-length, turned slightly to the right but looking directly at the viewer. He wears a dark doublet with a cloak and a broad white collar, his right hand resting on a sheet of paper atop a parapet and his left hand gesturing upward. Behind him, a richly detailed background includes an open illustrated book and a sculpted bust on a table, with a curtain framing the scene and a distant church visible through the window. 

The detailed inscription in the lower margin provides biographical information about Adriaen van de Venne, emphasizing his artistic accomplishments and reputation. It states that he was born in Delft in 1599 and began his artistic training with Simon Valck in Leiden before moving to the workshop of Hieronymus van Diest. The text highlights Van de Venne's expertise in monochromatic painting, describing him as an "excellent painter in white and black," a nod to his skill in grisaille techniques. It further credits him with producing masterpieces for prominent patrons, including the King of Denmark and the Prince of Orange, as well as other princes and nobles. The inscription also celebrates his literary talents, noting that he was a "good poet" whose books gained recognition. Van de Venne resided in The Hague, as indicated at the conclusion of the inscription.  

The elements surrounding Van de Venne in this portrait are highly symbolic. The open book and laurel-wreathed bust may reference his literary achievements and creative triumphs, while the distant church visible through the window ties his work to cultural and moral themes often explored in his paintings. The curtain and table, rendered with meticulous detail, add depth and richness to the composition, framing Van de Venne as a cultivated and accomplished figure. 

The engraving was executed by Wenceslaus Hollar and published by Jan Meyssens, a prominent Antwerp publisher known for producing engraved portraits of notable artists and intellectuals. 

States

There are 5 states of the engraving, according to Pennington.

Reference
Pennington, p. 1514.
Wenceslaus Hollar Biography

Wenceslaus Hollar, born on July 23, 1607, in Prague, was a prolific and accomplished Bohemian graphic artist of the 17th century.

Known to German speakers as Wenzel Hollar and to Czech speakers as Václav Hollar, he is celebrated for his masterful engravings and etchings. The turmoil of the Thirty Years' War, particularly the Sack of Prague, devastated Hollar's family, leading him to abandon his initial path towards a legal career and instead pursue the arts. His earliest surviving works date back to 1625 and 1626, showcasing the influence of Albrecht Dürer. In 1627, Hollar apprenticed under the esteemed engraver Matthäus Merian in Frankfurt, marking the beginning of his illustrious career.

During the early 1630s, Hollar resided in Strasbourg, Mainz, and Koblenz, capturing the essence of the Middle Rhine Valley through his depictions of towns, castles, and landscapes. In 1633, he moved to Cologne, where his talent began to attract significant attention. It was here, in 1636, that he caught the eye of Thomas Howard, the 21st Earl of Arundel, a renowned nobleman and art collector. Hollar joined Arundel on diplomatic missions to Vienna and Prague, and in 1637, he accompanied the Earl to England.

Upon settling in England, Hollar became part of Arundel's household, though he did not work exclusively for the Earl. He continued to create independently and for various authors and publishers. Following Arundel's death in 1646, Hollar commemorated him with a print designed by Cornelius Schut. Hollar's remarkable "View of Greenwich," published by Peter Stent, exemplified his early work in England and set a precedent for his meticulous and expansive cityscapes. 

The English Civil War significantly impacted Hollar's career, although he remained productive. He withstood the siege of Basing House alongside royalist artists like Inigo Jones and William Faithorne. Despite the adversity, Hollar's output was prolific during this period, with numerous plates dated 1643 and 1644. Following his capture and subsequent escape during the siege of Basing House in 1645, Hollar relocated to Antwerp, where he reconnected with Arundel and produced some of his most acclaimed works, including cityscapes, seascapes, and intricate studies of nature.

In 1652, Hollar returned to London, continuing his work with notable publishers and illustrating various significant texts, including Ogilby's Virgil and Homer, Stapylton's Juvenal, and Dugdale's Warwickshire, St Paul's, and Monasticon.

Following the Great Fire of London in 1666, Hollar produced his famous "Views of London," capturing the city's devastation and subsequent rebuilding. In 1668, King Charles II commissioned him to document Tangier's town and forts. His return voyage included a notable naval engagement, which Hollar later etched for Ogilby's Africa. Hollar continued to produce well-regarded works until his death on March 25, 1677, in London, where he was buried at St Margaret's Church, Westminster.  

Hollar's legacy endures through an extensive body of work, including some 400 drawings and 3000 etchings. His plates, numbering around 2740, encompass a vast array of subjects, from topographical views and portraits to intricate depictions of nature and architecture.

Collections of Hollar's work are held in prestigious institutions such as the British Museum, Windsor Castle, the National Gallery in Prague, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. His contributions to graphic art are celebrated in catalogues by George Vertue, Gustav Parthey, and Richard Pennington, with a comprehensive catalogue published in the New Hollstein German series. Hollar's work remains accessible through digital collections, notably at the University of Toronto and the Folger Shakespeare Library.

The Wenceslaus Hollar Secondary School of Art in Prague honors his name, ensuring that his artistic legacy continues to inspire future generations.