Series of Cartouches, in: Targhe ed altri ornati di varie e capricciose invenzioni (Cartouches and other ornaments of various and capricious invention, page 36) 1540 - 1560

This engraving, one of a series by Cornelis Bos, is an example of the "cartouche" style of ornamental design. It features a complex interplay of geometric and organic forms, centered around a lion's head. The design is symmetrical and balanced, with a sense of depth created through the use of shading. The intricate details, such as the scrollwork and the foliage, are executed with precision and skill. This print, likely intended for use as a design model, exemplifies the decorative and illustrative power of engravings in the 16th century.