De Reuk c. 1525 - 1550

This small plaquette, "The Sense of Smell," was created by Peter Flötner in Nuremberg, Germany, around 1530, likely cast in bronze. Its dark surface and intricate details invite close inspection. The artist has skillfully used the lost-wax casting method, a process involving creating a wax model, encasing it in clay, melting out the wax, and then pouring molten bronze into the resulting mold. This complex technique was highly prized during the Renaissance, as it allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of intricate designs. The mold could be used multiple times, enabling a level of mass production. This highlights how craft, design, and materiality intersect, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.