Tail-piece: Two Winged Women Hold a Cartel Decorated by Fame

Art Historical Context

This elegant etching by Claude Mellan functions as a tail-piece, a decorative print traditionally placed at the end of a book chapter or section. The composition centers on two winged female figures supporting a cartel—an ornamental scroll or cartouche—emblazoned the allegorical figure of Fame. Subtle references to flutes in the design suggest musical celebration, evoking themes of renown and artistic harmony within a compact format. Measuring just under four by five inches, the work demonstrates the precision possible in etching, a medium valued for its ability to capture fine lines and intricate details. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of prints, acquired in 1953 through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, it offers a glimpse into the ornamental role such images played in enhancing printed publications. Though the exact date remains unknown, the piece highlights Mellan’s mastery of symbolic imagery and the enduring appeal of Fame as a motif in European graphic arts.

About the Artist

Claude Mellan · 1598–1688

Claude Mellan (1598-1688) was a French draughtsman, engraver, and painter who became one of the most innovative printmakers of the French Baroque period. Born in Abbeville to a family of coppersmiths, Mellan rose to become Peintre et Graveur Ordinaire du Roi (Painter and Engraver in Ordinary to the King), achieving recognition for his extraordinary technical mastery. Mellan's artistic significanc...