Ornament 

This ornament was made around the late 16th century by Master B.H.M., using etching techniques on paper. The stark, graphic quality comes from the incised lines, which would have been filled with ink to create a printed image. Notice how the material influences the overall design, lending itself to reproducibility and widespread distribution. The image weaves together decorative flourishes, and tiny vignettes of daily life, some of which appear to depict laborers at work. Ornament, once considered a lesser art form, thrived thanks to printmaking, thus blurring the boundaries between high art and craft. This piece reflects how printed ornament served a vital role in disseminating design ideas, and shaping visual culture. The labor-intensive printmaking processes involved challenge distinctions between fine art and craft, reminding us of the skill involved in reproducible media.