Comments on: Wenceslaus Hollar’s Plague Letters

By: Pamela Traves

Pamela Traves — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 08:48:20 +0000

This was a Sad, but Lovely Work. Thank You So Very Much?????.

By: Jill wilson

Jill wilson — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 07:53:16 +0000

How thrilling to be able to handle the actual letters written by Hollar and to see the evidence of the anti plague steaming procedure…

And another timely reminder of how lucky we are to still be able to communicate easily with each other through a time of crisis, unlike our 17th century forebears.

Thanks GA (and GT)

By: Gillian Tindall

Gillian Tindall — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 21:56:51 +0000

The myth about Hollar dying destitute is a long-lasting one, but I’m happy to say there doesn’t seem to have been much substance in it. Aubrey remarked that he was not good with money and `dyed not rich’, but this was part of a comment about what an indefatiguable worker he was, `always uneasy’ when at at work.
It seems likely that, as Hollar lay dying, his mind was not at its clearest. His goods were not seized. I have seen an inventory made in his house some months later, which shows it to have been furnished with adequate comfort. His widow was still living there several years later when she sold a lot of his water colours and prints to Hans Sloane, whose collection was eventually to form the basis of the British Museum.

By: David Antscherl

David Antscherl — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 19:58:42 +0000

I had read that Hollar, despite the popularity of his engravings, had to beg the bailiffs to leave him in his bed to die, as he was destitute at that time and all his furniture was being repossessed. If true, a sad end to a wonderful talent.

Thank you for featuring him in today’s essay!

By: paul loften

paul loften — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 12:33:09 +0000

Thank you Gillian Tindall and the Gentle Author for bringing this to us. It gives us a perspective of times past when true darkness and fear were in the hearts of all Londoners, and they were without the comfort of remedy or knowledge. The phrase ” but Stint… maketh demurr to have it of me…” . puzzled me until I realised that Stint was Peter Stent an print seller who must have promised to buy it off him but failed to keep his word.

By: Jonathan Madden

Jonathan Madden — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 12:27:19 +0000

Great article GE, thank you. I have the book at home by Gillian Tindall and a huge print of Hollar’s ‘Long View’ drawn from the roof of Southwark Cathedral (or St Mary Ovarie as it was known in the 17th Century). It also reminds me how much I am missing the Great Wen. Keep safe and well.

By: Chris Webb

Chris Webb — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 09:20:30 +0000

Strangely it had never occurred to me that it is possible to be able to read without being able to write!

By: Steve Hanscomb

Steve Hanscomb — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 08:16:44 +0000

An interesting and timely piece. I have seen some of his work before but knew nothing of the man. It is strange that the beaked ‘plague doctors’ of this age would be far more protected against our current virus than the plague they were designed for.
I wish Ms. Tindall and the G.A. well and hope you stay safe.

By: Colin Lennon

Colin Lennon — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 07:57:38 +0000

Superb article GA! This has much resonance with the current ‘awkward’ times and yet is quite uplifting. Beautifully crafted as ever, I think this is one of your best posts. However, it has also served to remind me how much I miss London; stuck here in St Albans I haven’t made it into town for weeks. As with the 17th C the good times will roll again.