Plate 12: a cartouche with an empty escutcheon at top center, a head of a lion in profile to either side, from 'Twelve cartouches' (Recueil de douze cartouches) 1640 - 1645

This etching by François Collignon from his series *Twelve Cartouches* is a prime example of decorative engraving from the 17th century. The intricate design features an empty escutcheon at the top center, flanked by two lion heads in profile. The cartouche is framed by ornate scrolls and leaves. Collignon, a French artist, was well-known for his refined engravings of decorative designs, and these works were widely admired by his contemporaries. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York houses this particular piece, which stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of ornate and refined design.