Ovaal met in het midden een vrouw, aan beide kanten een kind c. 1571 - 1623

This oval print was made by Johann Israel de Bry around the turn of the 17th century. It depicts a woman flanked by two children with fish tails, surrounded by swirling foliage. The print exemplifies the style of ornament prevalent in Northern Europe at the time. These images, circulating as prints, served as models for artisans working in various media. De Bry’s imagery reflects the influence of classical mythology and Renaissance humanism, filtered through the lens of Northern European sensibilities. The prominent display of the nude female form reflects a complicated attitude toward the body that stemmed from the rise of both Protestantism and scientific rationalism. Understanding such imagery requires research into the printmaking trade, the dissemination of classical ideas, and the changing status of art institutions at this time. By understanding this context, we can appreciate the complex social forces shaping artistic production.