Ornament for Knife Handle
1563
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1563
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Ornament for Knife Handle is a 1563 ink by Theodor de Bry, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a tall, narrow design for a knife handle. At the top, there’s a fancy scroll shape with swirls and small flowers. Below it, a woman holds a baby while sitting on a curved bench. The sides are packed with leaves, vines, and tiny fruit—all drawn in black lines on a light background. The whole thing looks like it’s meant to be carved or stamped, not painted. The artist used lots of tiny lines to fill in shadows and textures, making it look detailed up close. If you like this kind of intricate linework, check out the technique: engraving.
