New Modelbüch (Page 19r)

Art Historical Context

Step into the intricate world of 17th-century German design with *New Modelbüch (Page19r)*, a collaborative etching by Andreas Bretschneider and Henning the Younger, created in 1615. This page hails from a "model book"—a treasured resource for artisans, goldsmiths, embroiderers, and architects seeking precise patterns for decorative work. At 12 x 8 1/16 inches, its compact size made it portable and practical, embodying the era's blend of Renaissance precision and emerging Baroque exuberance in Northern Europe. Etching, the medium here, allowed for fine, fluid lines etched into a metal plate with acid, producing richly detailed reproductions far superior to woodcuts. Page 19r showcases floral motifs tagged simply as "Flowers," likely intertwined with architectural ornaments, reflecting the period's fascination with nature-inspired decoration. These designs influenced everything from furniture inlays to textile patterns, bridging art and craft during a time when printmaking democratized sophisticated ornamentation. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, thanks to the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund of 1936, this work offers a glimpse into the workshops of early modern Germany. Imagine artisans poring over it by candlelight, translating its blooms into silver filigree or velvet embroidery—a testament to print's role in preserving and proliferating beauty across trades.

About the Artist

Andreas Bretschneider|Henning Gross the younger (German|German) · 1573 | –1645 |

German, Dresden ca. 1578–ca. 1640 Leipzig|