Cartouche met bovenaan een schedel c. 1654 - 1678

This intricate drawing, titled "Cartouche met bovenaan een schedel," was created by Jacob Lutma, a renowned Dutch silversmith, around the mid-17th century. The design features a stylized cartouche, a decorative element often used in heraldry, with a skull at the top. The intricate details of the cartouche, featuring a series of sinuous curves and flourishes, are characteristic of the Baroque style prevalent in Dutch art during this period. The presence of the skull, a symbol of mortality, adds a somber and reflective element to the design. This drawing, now housed at the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into Lutma's artistic vision and the complexities of 17th-century Dutch design.