Frieze with Half-Length Figure Holding Cornucopias 1585 - 1595

This engraving, Frieze with Half-Length Figure Holding Cornucopias, was created by Theodor de Bry in the late 16th century. During this time, Europeans were expanding their reach across the globe, often with devastating consequences for indigenous populations. De Bry's work reflects the aesthetics of this era, blending classical motifs with an interest in the natural world, but also served as a form of cultural documentation and, at times, propaganda. In this frieze, we see a profusion of ornamental details: grotesque masks, intertwining snakes, and figures holding cornucopias, symbols of abundance. The idealized male figure at the center, flanked by overflowing horns of plenty, speaks to desires for prosperity. But consider, whose prosperity is being celebrated here, and at what cost? Details such as the monstrous faces remind us that these images can reflect both the beauty and the anxieties of a rapidly changing world. They invite us to reflect on how historical narratives of abundance often obscure the realities of exploitation and inequality.