Artwork Information

In the summer of 1665 as many as one hundred

thousand Londoners died during an outbreak of

bubonic plague. The victims included Hollar’s only son,

James. Those who could afford to leave the city fled

for the safety of the countryside, but Hollar stayed and

continued to work.

At some time during that year Hollar made prints with views

of Islington, north of the city. It is evident that he enjoyed

the calm, reflective water, which must have been a

welcome relief to the crisis in London.