Ornamental drawings (recto) blank (verso)
early to mid-16th century
Medium
Dark brown ink, black chalk, and incised lines
Dimensions
sheet: 10 1/4 x 4 7/8 in. (26.1 x 12.4 cm)
Classification
Drawings|Ornament & Architecture
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Rogers Fund, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and Mark J. Millard Gift, 1968
Accession Number
68.769.62
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate sheet of ornamental drawings, created by an anonymous French artist the early to mid-th century, exemplifies the Renaissance fascination with intricate decorative motifs. Rendered on the recto dark brown ink, black, and incised lines it features floral patterns typical of the period's ornamental designs—likely intended as a pattern sheet for artisans working in architecture, textiles, or metalwork. The verso remains blank, highlighting its practical function over aesthetic display. The use of incised lines is particularly noteworthy: these subtle grooves allowed the design to be...