Ovale cartouche met tekst van Solon 1558 - 1630

This 16th-century print, "Ovale cartouche met tekst van Solon," by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum, is a fine example of a grotesque ornament, a style of decorative art that emerged in the Renaissance. It features a central oval cartouche containing a text by the Athenian statesman Solon, surrounded by elaborate, fantastical elements like intertwining vines, grotesque masks, and figures. The intricate design and detailed execution are characteristic of the van Doetechum's work, often used for book illustrations and decorative prints. This print is part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.