Hyacinth-Shaped Brooch with Winged Snakes at Top and Winged Animals at Bottom
1596
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1596
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This picture shows a detailed drawing of a fancy brooch shaped like a hyacinth flower. The center has a big, leafy bloom with small fruits. At the top, two winged snakes curl around the stem, and at the bottom, two winged animals hold up the design. The lines are sharp and full of tiny cross-hatching marks for shading. The brooch looks like it’s meant to be worn, with hanging loops and decorative knots. The artist used careful lines to make everything look three-dimensional. Next, look up engraving to see how this technique works.
