Right Half of a Strapwork Cartouche 1500 - 1600

This anonymous pen and ink drawing, dating from the 16th century, is a detailed study of the right half of a strapwork cartouche. The artist has employed hatching and cross-hatching to create a sense of three-dimensionality in the intricate design. Strapwork, a decorative motif characterized by interlaced bands and scrolls, was popular in Renaissance and Mannerist art. The design's complexity and meticulous execution exemplify the high standards of draftsmanship during this period, and would likely have been used as a model for decorative elements in larger works. The drawing is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.