Title Page: The Causes of Decay of Christian Piety, with vignette of St. Paul's Burning, (Lex ignea)

Art Historical Context

This etching, created by the masterful Bohemian printmaker Wenceslaus Hol after 1671, serves as the title page for Richard Allestree's treatise *The Causes of Decay Christian Piety*. At its center is a dramatic vignette of St. Paul's Cathedral engulfed in flames, titled *Lex Ignea* ("Fiery Law"), symbolizing judgment or moral reckoning. Hollar, renowned for his intricate topographic views of London, captures the chaos with fine lines and meticulous detail, evoking the city's vulnerability. The print's historical significance lies in its post-third state revision: an earlier version featured a burning ship, but this edition swapped it for the blazing cathedral, directly referencing the devastating Great Fire of London in 1666. That catastrophe destroyed much of the medieval city, including the old St. Paul's, fueling religious introspection amid Allestree's critique of waning piety. Produced via etching—a technique Hollar perfected for its precision and tonal depth—this 7 5/16 × 4 7/16 in. sheet reflects Restoration England's blend of artistry and allegory. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1926), it offers visitors a poignant window into 17th-century anxieties, where fire signified both literal ruin and spiritual decay. A testament to Hollar's adaptability, it bridges art, history, and faith.

About the Artist

Wenceslaus Hollar|Richard Allestree · 1607–1677

Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677) was a prolific Bohemian etcher who became one of the most accomplished printmakers of the seventeenth century. Born in Prague, he trained under Matthäus Merian in Frankfurt before entering the service of Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel, in 1636. Hollar spent most of his career in England, where he produced approximately 2,740 etchings documenting an extraordinary range...