Hollar, Wenceslaus (Wenzel)
(1607-1677)

Bohemian engraver and watercolorist, born in Prague. He trained in the workshop of Merian in Frankfurt, and became one of the foremost engravers of topographical views in the 17th cent. in 1636, while working in Cologne, he met the English connoisseur, the Earl of Artandel, who took him on a tour of Europe to make views for his private coHections. On account of his English connections Hollar finally settled in London-during the Civil War he fought on the Royalist side-and his views of the city form an invaluable record of its appearance before the Great Fire of 1666. He was very prolific and engraved a wide range of subjects apart from views.