Targhe ed altri ornati di varie e capricciose invenzioni (Cartouches and other ornaments of various and capricious invention, page 10)

Art Historical Context

Step into the whimsical world of 18th-century ornamentation with *Targhe ed altri orn di varie e capricci invenzioni* (Cartouches and other ornaments of various andious invention, page ), a finely executed etching and engraving from 1773. Created by Carlo Losi collaboration with Jacob Floris this print captures the exuberant spirit of Rococo design, where elaborate cartouches—ornate, scroll-like frames—serve as decorative focal points. Measuring a compact plate size of 5 1/8 × 11 13/16 inches, it exemplifies the precision of mixed-media printmaking, blending the fluid lines of etching with the sharp details of engraving to showcase intricate motifs perfect for architectural embellishments or book illustrations. These "capricious inventions" reflect the era's fascination with playful asymmetry and fantasy, drawing from Baroque traditions while embracing lighter, more fanciful forms. Such albums were essential tools for artists, goldsmiths, and architects, providing ready templates for everything from furniture inlays to facade decorations. Page 10 likely bursts with scrolling foliage, mythical creatures, and asymmetrical flourishes, inviting viewers to imagine their application in grand European interiors. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2014 through the Daniel Ergmann Gift, this work from the Drawings and Prints department highlights the enduring appeal of printed ornament as both art and practical inspiration, bridging creativity and craftsmanship in the pre-Revolutionary age.

About the Artist

Carlo Losi|Jacob Floris (Italian|Central European) · 1757 |1524 –1805 |1581

Italian, 1757– after 1805|Central European, 1524–1581