Drawing (design for fork and spoon) 1575 - 1585

Antonio Gentili, who was also known as Antonio da Faenza, made this drawing of a fork and spoon design sometime in the 16th century. The sketch showcases the kind of intricate metalwork that would have been commissioned by wealthy families in Italy, for whom dining was not only a necessity, but also an opportunity to display status and refinement. Here, the artist has imagined a spoon whose handle features a figure reclining amongst foliage, drinking from a wineskin. The fork, meanwhile, is adorned with grotesque masks. These motifs allude to the classical world, which was a major source of inspiration for artists working in the Renaissance. When we look at the art of the past, it's important to understand the values and beliefs of the people who made and used it. Original documents from the period can tell us a lot about the social and institutional contexts that shaped artistic production and consumption.