1516
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Ornamental Panel Inscribed "Victoria Augusta" is a 1516 ink by Giovanni Antonio da Brescia, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print is packed with strange, swirling shapes. At the top, two winged figures hold up a crown. Below them, small naked people play instruments or sit oddly. The middle has a shield with a bull’s head and a wreath. The whole thing looks like a mix of plants, tools, and faces—all tangled together. The tiny details are wild. Look close: there’s a bird, a shell, and a face peeking out from the bottom left. The artist used lines to build up shadows, making it look almost 3D. Check out how engraving works to create this kind of intricate print.
Giovanni Antonio da Brescia was an Italian engraver of northern Italy, active in the approximate period 1490–1519, during the Italian Renaissance.
See the richer artist page
