February (Februarius)

Art Historical Context

"February (Februarius)" is a delicate etching created between 1628 and 1629 through the collaboration of Dutch artist Jan van de Velde II and Bohemian printmaker Wenceslaus Hollar. This work belongs to a series depicting the months of the year, a popular theme in 17th-century Northern European art that connected seasonal rhythms with everyday human activity. Rendered in the precise lines of etching—a medium prized during the Dutch Golden Age for its ability to capture intricate details affordably—the print invites viewers into a wintry riverside scene featuring buildings and ships. Van de Velde II was renowned for his landscape etchings that celebrated the Dutch countryside, while Hollar brought his meticulous topographical skill to the project. Together they produced a balanced composition that reflects the era’s growing interest in naturalistic representation and the changing seasons. The inclusion of a river bustling with vessels highlights the vital role of waterways in 17th-century trade and transport. Today housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of prints and drawings, this etching offers modern audiences a charming glimpse into early modern European life. Its modest scale and fine linework demonstrate how prints helped spread artistic imagery beyond elite circles, making seasonal beauty accessible to a wider public.

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...