Cartouche met gevleugeld mascaron bovenaan c. 1628

This 17th-century engraving by H. Picart depicts a cartouche, a decorative element often used to frame text or images, in a highly ornate style. The central oval space is encircled by a complex arrangement of scrolling foliage, a winged mascaron (a grotesque human-like head) and two putti. The artist's skilled use of line and shading creates a sense of depth and texture, characteristic of Baroque-era decorative arts. This cartouche would have been designed for use in a variety of contexts, from book illustrations to architectural decoration. The intricate details and symbolic imagery reflect the prevailing artistic tastes of the period, emphasizing grandeur and elaborate ornamentation.