Large Pendant, Surrounded by Thirteen Studs
1593
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1593
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A round, jewel-like pendant hangs centered, surrounded by thirteen small studs arranged in a circle. The background is dark and plain, making the object stand out like a symbol or badge. This image was made using engraving, a method where lines are scratched into metal to hold ink. The artist used a technique called cross-hatching—tiny crisscrossed lines—to build up shadow and depth. It’s skillful work, showing how detailed black-and-white prints can be. Daniel Mignot made this in 1593, but we know very little about him. Look up engraving, cross-hatching to see how artists created tone and texture before modern tools.
