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Frontispiece

Michel Dorigny

1647

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Allegory

Dominant colour

Frontispiece is a 1647 ink by Michel Dorigny, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Michel Dorigny
When & what style?: 1647 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a fancy, detailed engraving with lots of swirling lines and shapes. At the top, there’s a banner with words in Latin, and below it sits a shield with a crown and two small figures. Around the shield, there are flowers, feathers, and other decorative elements that look like they’re spilling out in all directions. The whole thing is framed by a heavy border with more intricate designs. The words at the top, *"Levat Non Abripit Aura,"* mean "The Air Lifts, It Does Not Tear," which hints at something light and delicate. The shield’s motto, *"Visu Et Nisu,"* roughly translates to "By Sight and Effort," suggesting a mix of vision and hard work. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this made such precise, layered lines.