Ornaments for Goldsmiths 1619

comic strip sketch

quirky sketch

old engraving style

personal sketchbook

sketchwork

pen-ink sketch

pen work

sketchbook drawing

storyboard and sketchbook work

sketchbook art

This anonymous engraving from 1619, titled "Ornaments for Goldsmiths," depicts two figures, likely a goldsmith and his apprentice, working in a workshop. The piece is a typical example of 17th-century Dutch graphic art, showcasing detailed representations of everyday life. The intricate design of the ornamentation, featuring a decorative floral motif, demonstrates the skill and artistry of goldsmiths. The engraving is part of the Rijksmuseum collection, providing insight into the craft and its influence on decorative arts.

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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We get a glimpse of a goldsmith and his apprentice at work: the fire in the open kiln is raised to the right temperature with a pair of bellows. Enamel colours have different melting points and so must be fired one by one. Nowadays an enameller can regulate the kiln with great accuracy: in the past the temperature had to be gauged from experience and by the colour of the flames.