Wenceslaus Hollar 1607-1677

Etching, 1649, first state of two, a good impression of this very rare work, printed from three plates on three joined sheets, with margins, several vertical folds, short tears at edges of sheet 

Hollar's highly finished panoramic etching of Prague is a testament both to the artist's technical mastery and love of Dutch landscapes, as well as a celebration and record of the city itself. Four coats of arms are placed prominently across the sky with 'PRAGA' inscribed in the centre beneath. Hollar's naturalistic line renders Prague's topography in a  sensitive and delicate manner, evoking both the grandeur of the city and his own patriotic pride in its beauty.