Cartouche met opdracht, leeuw en luipaard 1598

This 1598 engraving by Antonio Tempesta features a cartouche with a lion and leopard, both facing away from the viewer. The cartouche is adorned with ornate scrolls and a heraldic crest. The work is inscribed with a dedication in Italian, indicating a personal gift to a patron. The artist’s signature appears at the bottom, and the inscription states the work was printed in Rome in 1598. It is an example of Mannerist style, characterized by intricate details and a focus on the human form. This print was likely commissioned for a private collector or noble patron.