Ornament met de personificaties van Hoop en Geloof, een ouroboros, twee putti en een dubbelportret 1714

This print, Ornament met de personificaties van Hoop en Geloof, an ouroboros, two putti and a double portrait, was etched by Maximilian Joseph Limpach. The dense, interwoven imagery is achieved through the skilled application of etching, a process that involves coating a metal plate with wax, drawing the design with a sharp needle, and then using acid to bite away the exposed lines. The depth of the lines dictates the darkness of the printed image. The sharp lines allow for incredible detail to be achieved. Note how the symbolic elements — the ouroboros representing eternity, the putti embodying innocence, and the allegorical figures of Hope and Faith — are woven together, creating a complex visual tapestry. This reflects the cultural context of the time, when ornament was not merely decorative but also laden with meaning. The print functions as a meditation on faith, time, and humanity's aspirations, inviting us to reflect on the values that underpinned society.