Kan in de vorm van een slakkenhuis met een dubbel oor 1548

This engraving of a design for a ewer in the shape of a snail shell with a double ear was created by Balthazar van den Bos sometime in the 16th century. During this period, a growth in wealth and the expansion of trade led to a new emphasis on secular themes and luxury goods in art. Van den Bos's detailed design reflects the era's fascination with opulence and classical motifs. The ewer features figures inspired by ancient mythology, intertwined with organic forms. However, the ewer goes beyond mere imitation. It imagines alternative narratives by transforming a common object into a display of artistic ingenuity. The choice of a snail shell as the ewer's primary form suggests a playful sensibility, contrasting with the more severe aesthetics often associated with elite art. The figures adorning the ewer are imbued with a dynamic energy that invites the viewer to imagine the object in motion. The overall design reflects the cultural shifts of the time, where artists balanced traditional themes with novel, inventive forms.