Ronde cartouche omgeven door rolwerk met guirlandes en vruchtentrossen c. 1555 - 1560

This ornately detailed print was made by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum. The Ronde cartouche is composed of engraved lines on paper, and surrounded by decorative elements like scrolling foliage, fruit garlands, and whimsical creatures. The artists incised lines into a metal plate, likely copper, using specialized tools, creating grooves to hold ink. The plate would have been carefully inked, and then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The varying line weights and cross-hatching create depth and texture. This was a highly skilled and laborious process, demanding precision. Engravings like this weren’t autonomous art objects, they were commercial products. Prints like this would have been sold and used by other craftsmen - like cabinetmakers - to give them inspiration for the decoration of luxury objects. The print exemplifies the intricate craftsmanship valued in its time, while also illustrating the relationship between art, craft, and commerce.