A frieze of figures
1550
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1550
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This drawing shows a repeating pattern of swirling black lines on a light background. The shapes look like tangled vines or knots, filling the space without gaps. Some areas have tighter curls, while others spread out wider. The lines are drawn so precisely they almost look carved instead of sketched. The contrast between the black and the light paper makes the patterns stand out sharply. If you like this style, look up cross-hatching next.
