Ornament with Grotesque
1616
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Ornament with Grotesque is a 1616 ink by Master CR, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a black-and-white design with swirling vines, flowers, and strange animal faces peeking from the leaves. In the center, the letters "C R" sit above "F A" with the year "1616" underneath. At the top, a crown-like shape holds a small figure with a spear. The mix of fancy patterns and creepy little faces was a common trick in Baroque art to surprise the viewer. This style loved hiding playful details in serious-looking work. Try looking up engraving to see how artists carved these tiny, precise lines into metal.
Your cart is empty
Explore artworks →
