Series of Cartouches, in: Targhe ed altri ornati di varie e capricciose invenzioni (Cartouches and other ornaments of various and capricious invention, page 43) 1540 - 1560

This engraving, "Series of Cartouches," is a detailed example of the work of Cornelis Bos, a prominent Dutch printmaker from the 16th century. Bos was renowned for his intricate designs, often incorporating elements of grotesques and fantastical creatures, which he developed while working in the workshop of the famous artist, Hieronymus Bosch. This particular cartouche, a decorative frame, is adorned with a lion’s head, birds, and elaborate scrolls, highlighting the decorative motifs common to Bos's prints. It was originally part of a larger collection of "Cartouches and other ornaments of various and capricious invention" published between 1540 and 1560. This work, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, demonstrates the intricate design and ornamental detail that made Bos's work so influential in Renaissance art.