Cartouche met rolwerk 1579

This anonymous print from 1579, housed in the Rijksmuseum, is an example of a decorative cartouche. The ornate design, featuring scrolls, a heart, and a central oval frame, showcases the intricate style of the time. The inscription within the oval, "Historia Ruth per Adrianum de Werdt in quatuor fol," indicates that this cartouche was likely part of a larger publication, perhaps a book or a series of prints. Such decorative elements were popular in the 16th century and served to enhance the visual appeal and importance of the text they adorned.