Twee saters, elk met één arm aan de stam van een bokaal gebonden 1516 - 1556

This print, "Two Satyrs, each with one arm tied to the stem of a bowl," was made anonymously, using the intaglio technique. Intaglio refers to a family of printmaking processes where the image is incised into a surface, and the incised line or sunken area holds the ink. In this instance, the printing plate was likely made of copper, into which the design was etched with acid. The image itself speaks volumes about the culture of display in its era. The print depicts a lavish fountain, ornamented with satyrs and other fantastical figures, and topped by a classical temple with a female statue inside. The creation of such a detailed print would have required a great deal of skill, from the initial design to the precise execution of the etching. As a print, this image could be widely disseminated, allowing many people to imagine elaborate fountains. By considering the materials, the making process, and the social context, we gain a richer understanding of its place in history.