Wenceslaus Hollar

Winter

1641
Etching on ivory laid paper
25 × 17.8 cm (9.8 × 7 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Wenceslaus Hollar was born in Bohemia and, at the height of his career, enjoyed the patronage of the Earl of Arundel. He is famous for his lifelike rendering of fur and his panoramic views of London. His steady, complex etched lines create the illusion of natural light on a gown or over a cityscape. The fashionably clad women in this series represent the four seasons. Each caption advises the viewer to protect her beauty against the climate. Winter , for example, depicts two fur muffs and a mask to shield the lady’s face from icy winds.

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