Two Containers (Deux nécessaires) 1525 - 1600

"Two Containers (Deux nécessaires)" is a 16th-century print by French artist René Boyvin, depicting two ornate containers, one featuring a male figure and the other a female figure. The intricate details and decorative elements of the containers suggest a focus on the decorative arts and the revival of classical motifs during this period. The print's style, characterized by its precise lines and careful shading, is representative of the Mannerist movement, which emphasized the exaggeration of form and the use of complex compositions. This work, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, exemplifies Boyvin's skill as a printmaker and his contribution to the artistic trends of his time.