Ornamental Plate III
c. 1619
Medium
Engraving on paper
Dimensions
7.1 × 10.3 cm (2 13/16 × 4 1/16 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
39623
Art Historical Context
**Ornamental Plate III** by French engraver Jacques Hurtu, created around 1619, exemplifies the exquisite ornamental prints that flourished in early 17th-century Europe. This small engraving on paper, measuring just 7.1 × 10.3 cm, belongs to a series designed to inspire artisans in decorative arts. Hurtu, active during the reign of Louis XIII, captured the intricate motifs of the transitioning Mannerist-to-Baroque style, blending elegant scrolls, foliage, and fantastical elements that would adorn silverwork, furniture, and architecture. Engravings like this were revolutionary as portable patt...