Strapwork Pendant with Two Birds as Earrings at Left and Right
1584
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1584
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a fancy, swirling metal pendant hanging in the air. Around it are two small birds perched on loops, like earrings. The pendant itself is packed with curls, leaves, and little shapes—almost like lace made of metal. Tiny dots and lines fill in the shadows to make it look 3D. The artist used tiny marks to add depth, a trick called cross-hatching. This kind of detailed metalwork was popular in jewelry during the Renaissance. Try looking up engraving to see how artists like this one made prints.
