1374

Hollar Etching Trial of the Earl of Strafford 1641

Currency:USD Category:Art Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
Hollar Etching Trial of the Earl of Strafford 1641
This is a beautiful etching of the trial of Thomas Wentworth, the Earl of Strafford. It was
done by Wenceslaus Hollar (1607 - 1677), a celebrated Czech printmaker. The piece is
titled in German “Abbildung der Session des Parlaments zu London über den Sentenz
des Grafen von Stafford”. Hollar was born in Prague and died in London; he was known
to German speakers as Wenzel Hollar and to Czech speakers as Václav Hollar, and is
particularly noted for his engravings and etchings. He produced works prolifically
throughout the English Civil War.
Strafford was an English statesman and a major figure in the period leading up to the
English Civil War. He served in Parliament and was a supporter of King Charles I, then
ran into disfavor with Parliament after he offered to bring over the Irish army to subdue
the king’s opponents in England. The trial was held in 1641 and Strafford was executed
the same year. The engraving is signed on the plate in the lower left, and the overall
size is 10 5/16 x 11 3/8 in. wide.