Series of Cartouches, in: Targhe ed altri ornati di varie e capricciose invenzioni (Cartouches and other ornaments of various and capricious invention, page 49)

Art Historical Context

Cornelis Bos, a prominent Flemish engraver active in mid-16th century created this enchanting *Series of Cartouches* 1545–60 as part of his album *Targhe ed ornati di varie eciose invenzioni (Cartouches and other of various and capricious), page 49. Rendered in meticulous engraving on a modest sheet measuring about 8 × 10 inches, this print exemplifies the Renaissance fascination with elaborate decorative motifs. Bos, influenced by Italian masters like Parmigianino, in reproductive prints that disseminated innovative designs across Europe. Engraving's fine lines allowed Bos to craft intricate cartouches—ornamental frames shaped like scrolls or shields—adorned with whimsical human faces, particularly those of men, intertwined with fantastical strapwork and foliage. These "capricious inventions" drew from ancient Roman grotesques rediscovered in the Renaissance, blending architecture, anatomy, and fantasy. Such prints served as pattern books for goldsmiths, architects, and book illustrators, fueling the era's ornamental mania. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this work highlights the explosive creativity of 16th-century Northern European printmaking, bridging classical antiquity with Mannerist exuberance. Visitors will appreciate how Bos's playful yet precise designs continue to inspire modern graphic arts and architecture.

About the Artist

Cornelis Bos · 1510–1556

Cornelis Bos (c. 1506/10–before 1555), a Netherlandish engraver, printseller, and publisher born in 's-Hertogenbosch, emerged as a pivotal figure in the Antwerp print trade during the mid-16th century. His early life remains sparsely documented, with no records of formal training or mentors, though he was active in Antwerp by 1537, producing his earliest known engraving, *Prudence and Justice*, af...