Ornament

About this work

This engraving shows a sheet of paper filled with tiny, detailed patterns. Curves, dots, and lines twist together in swirls and grids. It looks almost like lace under a magnifying glass. Master T.F. was a real person, but we don’t know much about them. Their initials appear on the plate. This kind of work was rare in the Renaissance—most artists painted instead of carving ink lines. Check out more engravings by Master T.F. at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.