Tail-piece: Woman's Head (Cul-de-lampe: Buste de femme) 1600 - 1688

This intricate etching, "Tail-piece: Woman's Head (Cul-de-lampe: Buste de femme)," showcases the masterful technique of Claude Mellan. The composition depicts a woman's head adorned with an elaborate headdress of fruit and foliage, flanked by two stylized dolphins. The use of delicate cross-hatching creates a sense of volume and depth, characteristic of Mellan's style. This piece, created between 1600 and 1688, exemplifies the Baroque period's penchant for elaborate ornamentation and detailed renderings. The etching serves as a tailpiece, or decorative element, likely for a book or publication.