Twee cartouches boven elkaar, de bovenste bevat het hoofd van een vrouw 1567

This intricate engraving, "Twee cartouches boven elkaar, de bovenste bevat het hoofd van een vrouw," by Pieter van der Heyden (1525-1569), is a striking example of Mannerist ornament design. The work, executed in 1567, features two cartouches, the upper one displaying a female head surrounded by intertwined serpents, while the lower cartouche depicts a nude male figure wrestling with a sea serpent. The delicate linework, intricate details, and dynamic composition are characteristic of the Mannerist style, a period known for its complex and often exaggerated forms. This engraving, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies Van der Heyden's skill in creating decorative patterns that were popular for architectural and interior design during the 16th century.