Horizontal Panel with Three Thimble Designs and Two Medallions
1580–1600
Medium
Engraving and blackwork
Dimensions
Sheet: 2 1/2 × 2 15/16 in. (6.3 × 7.4 cm)
Classification
Prints|Ornament & Architecture
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1951
Accession Number
51.501.5785(1)
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created around 1580–1600 by Johann Theodor de Bry, this delicate engraving exemplifies the ornamental printmaking tradition of the late Renaissance. De Bry, part of a renowned family of engravers, specialized in intricate designs intended as models for craftsmen. Measuring just a few inches across, the panel presents three thimble patterns alongside two medallions featuring women and floral motifs, blending functionality with decorative elegance. The work employs both engraving and blackwork techniques, allowing for crisp lines and rich tonal contrasts that highlight the tiny scale. Such prin...
About the Artist
Johann Theodor de Bry · 1561–1923
Comment on works: copper engraver