Titelblad: Grotis for die goltschmit und andern khunstiger / Grotis por les orfevre & aultre Artisien 1589

This 1589 engraving by Theodor de Bry, titled "Grotis for die goltschmit und andern khunstiger," features a decorative border with grotesque figures and scrolling foliage. This "grotesque," derived from Roman and early Renaissance art, is a style of decorative art that features fantastical, often monstrous, creatures. De Bry's engraving, intended for goldsmiths and other artists, demonstrates the popularity of this style in the late 16th century. Its intricate design and careful detail would have served as inspiration for a wide range of decorative objects.