Design for Knife Handles with an Armed Woman and Susanna and the Elders, from Mansches de Coutiaus

Art Historical Context

This delicate engraving by Johann Theodor de Bry, prominent member of the de Bry family engravers active in Frankfurt during the late 16th century, dates to around 1580–1600. Titled *Design for Knife Handles with Armed Woman and Susanna and Elders*, it hails from the series *Mansches deiaus* (French for "Knife Handles"), showcasing intricate ornamental designs meant for practical luxury objects. Measuring just 5 3/16 × 4 1/16 inches, its small scale highlights the precision required for such functional art. The composition blends dynamic figures—an armed woman alongside the biblical scene of Susanna and the Elders—with motifs of animals, children, men, and women, evoking Northern Mannerist flair. De Bry employs engraving for fine lines and blackwork (a dense cross-hatching technique) to create rich tonal contrasts and textures, ideal for translating to metalwork. These designs reflect Renaissance interest in integrating classical and biblical narratives into everyday items like cutlery, blending utility with moral storytelling. Held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1931), this print exemplifies how printmaking democratized ornamental patterns, influencing goldsmiths and craftsmen across Europe. A fascinating glimpse into the era's fusion of art, faith, and craftsmanship!

About the Artist

Johann Theodor de Bry · 1561–1923

Comment on works: copper engraver