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Engraving

1528 (made), 1528 (Printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This 16th-century ornament print by Lucas Hugensz van Leyden shows an asymmetrical design in the grotesque style. 'Grotesque' derives from the Italian word grottesco. The style was inspired by ancient Roman designs discovered at the end of the 15th century in the underground rooms, or grottoes, of the Golden House of Emperor Nero in Rome.

Grotesque ornament was used to decorate a wide range of objects, such as ceramics, and the style was much copied by Renaissance artists. The two sphinx-like figures are particularly ornate, with female heads, wings, hooves and the bodies of snakes.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Engraving
Brief description
Lucas Hugensz van Leyden. Ornament with two sphinxes and a winged man. Dutch, 1528.
Physical description
Engraving
Dimensions
  • Cut to height: 7.8cm
  • Cut to width: 11.9cm
  • To plate mark height: 12.0cm
  • To plate mark width: 8.9cm
Marks and inscriptions
Signed and dated '1528 / L' in the centre of the plate.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This 16th-century ornament print by Lucas Hugensz van Leyden shows an asymmetrical design in the grotesque style. 'Grotesque' derives from the Italian word grottesco. The style was inspired by ancient Roman designs discovered at the end of the 15th century in the underground rooms, or grottoes, of the Golden House of Emperor Nero in Rome.

Grotesque ornament was used to decorate a wide range of objects, such as ceramics, and the style was much copied by Renaissance artists. The two sphinx-like figures are particularly ornate, with female heads, wings, hooves and the bodies of snakes.
Bibliographic reference
Hollstein, F. W. H., et al. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700 (Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1968): vol. X, p.182.
Collection
Accession number
28611A

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Record createdDecember 1, 2005
Record URL
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