Cartouche: Jupiter en Danaë 1584

"Cartouche: Jupiter en Danaë" is an etching by Abraham de Bruyn, dated 1584. The composition features a central oval cartouche with a scene depicting the Greek myth of Jupiter's seduction of Danaë, surrounded by a rich and intricate border. The border is filled with various decorative elements including seadragons, grotesques, and human figures. The piece exemplifies the use of cartouches in Renaissance art, serving as decorative frames for symbolic scenes and often incorporating mythological themes. De Bruyn, active in Antwerp during the late 16th century, was a prominent printmaker known for his intricate and detailed work. This engraving, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, highlights his skill in depicting the mythological story and the decorative richness of the border.