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 black-and-white drawing of a fancy knife handle. It’s packed with swirls, flowers, and tiny faces peeking out. At the top, a crown sits above a shield with a man holding a spear and a snake. Below that, more scrolls and leaves fill the space. The artist carved these details into metal using a sharp tool. That’s how the lines stay crisp and dark. Look up engraving to see how this works.
Theodor de Bry (also Theodorus de Bry; 1528 – 27 March 1598) was a Walloon engraver, goldsmith, editor and publisher, famous for his depictions of early European expeditions to the Americas.
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