Langwerpige cartouche met bokkenkop 1584

This anonymous engraving from 1584 depicts a cartouche with a goat's head at its center. The cartouche, a decorative element used to frame text or images, is elongated and features intricate scrolling details. The goat's head, a symbolic motif often associated with strength and virility, is rendered with meticulous detail, showcasing the engraver's skill. The inscription "Urbium Creta nomina, quarum situs ignoratur" (The names of the cities of Crete, whose location is unknown) suggests the artwork was likely part of a larger map or atlas. This small yet beautifully executed engraving is a fine example of the decorative artistry prevalent in 16th-century cartography.