Title Page: Large Pendant, Two Winged Imaginary Figures at Bottom 1596

This is Daniel Mignot’s “Title Page: Large Pendant, Two Winged Imaginary Figures at Bottom”, an engraving made in 1596. The late 16th century was a period marked by the rise of mannerism and the Counter-Reformation. Mignot, working in Augsburg, Germany, navigated this complex cultural landscape by creating intricate designs for luxury objects. Note the Latin inscription, "In timore Dei," or "In fear of God". It suggests the religious environment in which Mignot operated, where even decorative arts were imbued with moral considerations. How might the "fear of God" have shaped Mignot's artistic choices? The symmetrical composition and the inclusion of winged figures perhaps reflect a desire to create harmony but also to evoke the divine. These figures are ambiguous, part human and part animal, reflecting a time in which the boundaries between the natural and supernatural were constantly negotiated. Ultimately, Mignot’s pendant design, with its blend of religious and fantastical elements, invites us to consider the complex interplay of faith, identity, and artistic expression in the late 16th century.