Ornamental Leg-Shaped Vessel 1543

Augustin Hirschvogel made this etching of an ornamental leg-shaped vessel in 1543. This print exemplifies the grotesque style popular in sixteenth-century Europe. It’s a wild combination of human, animal, and inanimate forms. Born in Nuremberg, Hirschvogel trained as a glass painter, before becoming a cartographer and printmaker. Prints like these were not intended as fine art as we understand it today. Rather, they were meant as models for other craftsmen. The rise of printmaking in the 16th century allowed for the widespread dissemination of visual ideas. Artists, and artisans alike, drew inspiration from printed sources, which facilitated the rapid spread of artistic trends across Europe. To fully understand this image, we need to consider the social function of art in the 16th century and how the circulation of prints fostered artistic innovation, but also standardization, across Europe.