April (Aprills)

Art Historical Context

"April (Aprills)" a delicate etching from 1628–29, collaboratively by Dutch printmaker Jan van dede II and Bohemian etcher Wenceslaus Hollar This first-state impression, part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Whittelsey Collection, captures the essence of spring through a pastoral scene featuring horses, figures, buildings, and trees. Van de Vel, known for his intricate landscapes in the Dutch Golden Age tradition, likely the design, while Hol's masterful etching technique brought it to life with fine lines and subtle tonal variations. Etching, a revolutionary intaglio process popular in the 17th century, allowed artists like these to achieve unprecedented detail and expressiveness on copper plates. The "first state of two" denotes an early, unaltered version before any revisions, making it a prized rarity for collectors. This print exemplifies the Baroque era's fascination with nature and everyday rural life, blending realism with poetic harmony. As part of a possible series evoking the months, "April" invites viewers to savor the awakening landscape, reflecting the era's growing appreciation for seasonal cycles and the countryside's tranquility. A gem in the Met's Prints department, it showcases how printmaking democratized fine art, bringing van de Velde and Hollar's visions to a wider audience.

About the Artist

Jan van de Velde II|Wenceslaus Hollar · 1593–1641

Jan van de Velde II (1593–1641) was one of the most accomplished Dutch printmakers and draughtsmen of the early seventeenth century, born in Haarlem into a dynasty of celebrated calligraphers and artists. His father, Jan van de Velde I, was a renowned writing master, and his cousin Willem van de Velde the Elder would later become a distinguished marine painter. Jan II studied engraving under Jacob...