Fries met borstkuras tussen een nereïde (links) en een triton (rechts) 1510 - 1550

Sebald Beham created this intricate frieze with burin around the 1500s. Immediately, one is struck by its symmetrical layout, a classical nod perhaps, yet teeming with fantastical marine beings. The crisp lines of the engraving create a mesmerizing pattern across a small rectangle. The central image, a finely detailed breastplate, is flanked by a Nereid and a Triton, their fish tails spiraling, blowing curved horns. Note how the tails not only anchor the composition but mirror the decorative scrolls above. The formal arrangement is quite striking. Beham's skill in engraving allows for a dense pattern of lines, creating a texture that enlivens the figures. It challenges fixed categories through mythological iconography. Consider how the combination of classical armor with mythical figures creates a complex visual system. It’s an invitation to decode the cultural values assigned to the artwork. By destabilizing the expected, Beham invites us to reconsider the relationship between ancient mythology, Renaissance artistry, and the very act of seeing.