Wenceslaus HollarCzech, English, 1607–1677Die Zweikämpfe
May one see it?
Unknown
Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum
Braunschweig, Germany
The owner is known; whether it is on view today is not.
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
Particulars
Meanwhile, in the life of Wenceslaus Hollar
The whole lifeuntil 1625
Decides to become an artist after his family’s ruin
After his family was financially ruined by the Sack of Prague in the Thirty Years’ War, the young Hollar, who had been destined for the legal profession, decided to become an artist.
1636
Meets the Earl of Arundel
The famous nobleman and art collector Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel, then on a diplomatic mission to the imperial court of Emperor Ferdinand II, takes notice of him. Hollar is employed as a draftsman.
1637
Moves to England with Arundel
In 1637 he goes with Arundel to England, where he remains in the earl’s household for many years.
1643–1644
Endures the siege of Basing House with fellow royalist artists
With other royalist artists, notably Inigo Jones and the engraver William Faithorne, he stands the long siege of Basing House; some hundred plates by his hand are dated 1643 and 1644. The Civil War, despite his productivity, adversely affected his income.
1645
Captured by parliamentary forces, he escapes
Hollar joins the Royalist Regiment and is captured by parliamentary forces in 1645 during the siege of Basing House; after a short time he manages to escape.
![Bride, from "Dance of Death", Wenceslaus Hollar, [1651] late 18th century printing](https://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/dp/web-large/DP822840.jpg)
