Twee veelvlakken met een bol als uitgangspunt 1568

This print was made in the late 16th century by Jost Amman. It shows two polyhedra, each based on a sphere. These forms would have been produced through a painstaking process. Amman most likely began with preparatory sketches, before transferring his design onto a metal plate, probably copper. He would then use specialized tools such as burins and etching needles to carefully engrave the lines. The spheres are each facetted with a series of flat planes, reflecting the Renaissance fascination with geometry and perspective. The forms of the spheres are meticulously rendered, demonstrating Amman’s technical skill and understanding of spatial relationships. They seem to show a theoretical model, perhaps for architecture or even cosmology. The use of printmaking meant that these ideas could be widely disseminated. This print reflects a moment when art, science, and craft converged, challenging our notions of art as something separate from other forms of knowledge and skill.