Achthoekige cartouche met een citaat van Plinius 1556

This anonymous 16th-century print from the Rijksmuseum, titled "Achthoekige cartouche met een citaat van Plinius," is a prime example of decorative engraving. The intricate design features a central octagonal cartouche inscribed with a quote from Pliny the Elder: "Ne sutor ultra crepidam," which translates to "Let the shoemaker stick to his last." Surrounding the inscription is a complex arrangement of stylized forms, including human figures, animals, and geometric patterns, creating a visually rich and balanced composition that speaks to the Renaissance appreciation for classical learning and artistic skill.