Cartouche met een citaat van Terentius 1556

This is an anonymous cartouche with a quote by Terentius. The engraving on paper presents an intricate, symmetrical design, filled with human and mythical figures, all meticulously rendered. Notice how the composition balances opposing elements, contrasting the rigidity of architectural forms with the fluid lines of organic motifs. The cartouche is structured around a central rectangular space, framed by layers of ornamentation. Each layer presents a symbolic language, with the figures functioning as signs within a complex visual rhetoric. The hybrid creatures at the base and sides suggest a dialogue between the human and the supernatural, while the cherubic figures at the top evoke a sense of divine approval. The overall effect is one of controlled exuberance, where the density of detail never overwhelms the underlying structure. The artist uses the formal elements of line and form not just for decoration, but to create a dynamic interplay of meaning and interpretation. This piece is not merely a frame for text, but a visual argument in itself.