Brooch with Table-Stones, Dragons at Top, andWinged Monsters Blowing Horns at Bottom 1596

Daniel Mignot created this etching, Brooch with Table-Stones, sometime between 1593 and 1616 in France. This print provides a design for a jeweled brooch, but it is also an expression of the cultural milieu of late Renaissance Europe. Note how Mignot's image creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references. Dragons and winged monsters populate the design, motifs associated with power and protection, reflecting a society steeped in heraldry and symbolism. Consider the role of printmaking in disseminating designs and influencing fashion trends. During this time, the French court was a center for artistic innovation, with jewelers and designers catering to the tastes of the elite. Mignot's print caters to this demand, offering a template for luxurious personal adornment. To fully understand this artwork, we might consult primary sources such as fashion plates, jewelry catalogs, and court inventories. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.