Cartouche
1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Cartouche is a 1646 ink by François Collignon, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows two cherubs—putti—floating in a swirling, decorative frame. Their chubby arms and legs curve around a central empty space, like they’re holding up a shield. The lines are smooth and flowing, with lots of scrolls and leaves twisting around them. The empty center might look odd, but it was meant to be filled later with a coat of arms or a name. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit in the carved lines, making the drawing pop. Check out how this was made using etching.
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