New Modelbüch (Page 27v)

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's and Prints department, where encounter *New Modelbüch ( 27v)*, an etching from 1615 by the collaborative of Andreas Bretschneider and Henning Gross Younger. Measuring 12 x 8 1/16 inches, this page hails from a "Modelbuch"—a pattern book cherished by artisans of the early Baroque era. These practical guides disseminated intricate designs for crafts like embroidery, woodcarving, and metalwork, bridging the gap between artist and workshop. Etching, the medium here, was revolutionary in the 17th century for its precision and reproducibility. Unlike woodcuts, it allowed fine lines and elaborate motifs—perfect for the ornamental and architectural patterns classified in this work. Bretschneider and Gross, working in the German-speaking regions, contributed to a vibrant tradition of Northern European design books that fueled the decorative arts across Europe. This acquisition, thanks to the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund of 1936, offers a window into how Renaissance ingenuity evolved into Baroque opulence. Imagine 17th-century goldsmiths or weavers poring over such pages, adapting motifs for palaces and textiles—timeless blueprints of creativity!

About the Artist

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

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