Ornament with Mask
1550
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1550
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows a strange, swirling face in the center with a wild beard and a crown. Around it, smaller figures reach upward, tangled in vines and scrolls. The whole scene looks like it’s carved into dark metal, with sharp lines creating shadows. The face in the middle might be a mythical figure—its expression is fierce, almost angry. The tiny people around it seem to be pulling at the vines, like they’re trapped or trying to escape. This is made using engraving, where the artist cuts lines into a metal plate to create the image.
