1532
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
High Ornament is a 1532 by Heinrich Aldegrever, a Northern Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a tall, narrow design packed with swirling leaves and flowers. At the top, two faces peek out from the foliage. In the middle, a vase sits on a pedestal, surrounded by more leafy patterns. Below, a small putto (a chubby, winged boy) leans against the vase, looking down. The artist used sharp lines and deep shadows to make the patterns pop. This style was common in prints from the time. Next, check out the Renaissance movement for more examples of this kind of detailed art.
Heinrich Aldegrever or Aldegraf was a German painter and engraver. He was one of the "Little Masters", the group of German artists making small old master prints in the generation after Albrecht Dürer.
See the richer artist page
