Wenceslaus Hollar’s etching, “Cologne”, 1643

Wenceslaus Hollar (aka Václav Hollar; Wenzel Hollar) (1607–1677)

“Cologne” (aka “Zü Cölln”), 1643, from the series, “Prospectus aliquot locorum in diversis Provincis...” (Prospects for several places in different Provinces...).

Regarding the series of which this print is a part (“Prospectus aliquot locorum in diversis Provincis...”), the Curator of the British Museum offers the following insights: “…a series of ten views in Bohemia, Germany and England (New Hollstein 454-463); also see Pennington 727-738, put together as a set by Parthey following George Vertue (III. 120-131)” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_Q-4-311).

Etching on laid paper with small margins around the platemark.

Size: (sheet) 10.8 x 15.4 cm; (plate) 8.3 x 12.1 cm; (image borderline) 7.6 x 12.3 cm.

Inscribed in plate in sky: (left) “zü Cölln”; (right of centre) “S. Severin”.

State ii (of ii) with the addition of “heavy lines parallel to the slope [of the hill to the right of the windmill]” (Pennington [1982], p.125).

Pennington 730ii (Richard Pennington 1982, “A Descriptive Catalogue of the Etched Work of Wenceslaus Hollar 1607–1677”, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, p. 125, cat. no. 730ii); New Hollstein (German) 1819.

The British Museum offers the following description of this print: “Cologne; stone wall with arches crowned with balcony at left, with wooden fence in the foreground; two men walking towards windmill on top of hill in the middle ground; the three spires of the church of St Severin seen beyond, with trees and cottages at right” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_Q-4-318).

Condition: a well-printed and near faultless impression in a near pristine condition for its age with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this sensitively executed early view of Cologne with the church of St Severin in the distance, for the total cost of AU$322 (currently US$215.22/EUR194.74/GBP171.42 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this rare and historically important view of Cologne, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold