Cartouche Designs 17th century

This 17th-century anonymous drawing from the Metropolitan Museum of Art showcases two cartouche designs. The elaborate cartouches, often used as decorative elements in architecture and furniture, are characterized by their intricate ornamentation. The top cartouche features a central oval framed by swirling, asymmetrical forms and topped with a grotesque mask. Below, a second, smaller cartouche echoes the design principles of the first. The anonymous artist's skillful rendering of these designs exemplifies the decorative flourishes of the Baroque period.