Cup

About this work

This etching shows a fancy metal cup with raised patterns of leaves and vines. The artist cut the design into a metal plate, then pressed paper onto it to print the image. Tiny details pop out, like the way light catches the raised edges. Wenzel Jamnitzer worked in Renaissance Germany, where artists loved making everyday objects look luxurious. This print proves how etching could turn simple cups into art. His work feels close to Albrecht Dürer’s prints—both masters turned small details into big drama.