Three Caterpillars, a Moth, and Four Butterflies

1644-1652

Wenceslaus Hollar

Associated Names
Wenceslaus Hollar

Artist, Bohemian, 1607 - 1677

The image shows various insects. A large moth is at the center with outstretched wings. Above is a segmented caterpillar with circular patterns, and to the right is a fluffy, curled-up caterpillar. On the left side, a butterfly is in flight, and in the bottom right corner, another butterfly is perched on a surface. To the right of the central moth, there is a shell-like creature with stripes. The color palette is monochromatic in shades of black and white. The insects are arranged in an orderly manner within the frame, with the largest moth positioned centrally and surrounded by other insects evenly spaced throughout the composition.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 11.8 × 18.2 cm (4 5/8 × 7 3/16 in.)
    sheet: 12.7 × 19.2 cm (5 × 7 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.4954

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein, no. 1268, State only

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Fritz Rumpf [1856-1927], Potsdam (Lugt 2161); (C.G. Boerner, Leipzig, May 7-9, 1928, lot 638); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], 1928; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1971

  • A Selection of 17th Century Intaglio Prints from the National Gallery of Art Rosenwald Collection, New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, 1971-1972, no. 21.

Bibliography

1982

  • Pennington, Richard. A Descriptive Catalogue of the Etched Work of Wenceslaus Hollar 1607-1677. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982, no. 2179, state only.

1996

  • The New Hollstein German Engravings, Etchings and Woodcuts, 1400-1700. (Wenceslaus Hollar, Simon Turner, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996-, no. 1268, state only.

Wikidata ID

Q65026358

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