Ornamentele lijst met tekst 1594

This ornamental print with text was made around 1590 by Johann Sadeler I, using engraving techniques. The print is a dedication to the Sadeler family, specifically Johann and Raphael, praising their artistry. The surrounding border consists of fruits and vegetables in a naturalistic style, framing a block of Latin text. This reflects the culture of humanism at the time and the rise of academies, societies, and printmaking workshops. The family-run print shop would have been a place of collaboration and also a business. The ornamental border alludes to the abundance and harmony of nature and serves to create a visual metaphor for the flourishing of artistic talent within the Sadeler family. To understand this print better, we might examine emblem books and the tradition of dedicating artworks to patrons and colleagues. The history of the Sadeler family's workshop would also offer useful context, providing insight into the institutional conditions that supported artistic production at the time. This artwork encapsulates the social structures of its time.