Ornament met sater en dolfijnen 1525 - 1550

This ornament depicting a satyr and dolphins was made in the Netherlands by the monogrammist LB, using the intricate process of etching. The material of choice here is metal, likely copper, worked through the subtractive process of etching, where acid eats away at exposed lines to create an image. Notice how the etched lines give form to the satyr's muscular torso, the twisting bodies of the dolphins, and the swirling foliage. Etching allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of intricate designs. In its time, this ornamentation would have been highly valued, and it reflects a society increasingly interested in classical themes, and in having access to ornament of all kinds. It could then be applied to functional objects of all kinds. By understanding the materials, the making process, and its cultural use, we recognize this artwork's significance beyond the traditional boundaries of fine art.