Ornament Panel: Nereid Ridden by Two Children
1510
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1510
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image is a long, skinny print packed with swirly lines and shapes. At the top, there’s a fancy arch with tiny figures and scrolls. Below that, a big vase sits on a pedestal, surrounded by more twists and curls. Two small kids ride a sea nymph—she’s got a fish tail and a shell. The whole thing looks carved into the page, not painted. The artist used tiny lines to build up shadows and texture, making it look like metal. This style was common in the 1500s. Check out how engraving works to see how artists create these detailed prints.
