The Mineral Spring
Wenzel Hollar (1607-1677), The Mineral Spring, etching, c. 1645. Reference: Pennington 1238, fourth state (of 4). In generally adequate condition, trimmed on or just into the borderline, tiny nick lower margin edge, repair (?) upper right, hinging slightly showing through. 4 5/8 x 7 5/8. Watermark: Crown with initials MM.
A good/fair impression, showing wear at the extreme left.
This interesting composition shows a sunken stone basin with steps; water is running from two pipes in a decorated wall. People are seated in the basin and under the trees, and a man with two pitchers walks toward the well.
Pennington notes that various locations have been identified for the Mineral Spring.
The publisher, Paul Furst (1608-1666) died about a decade before Hollar.
Detail