Chalice with Head of a Warrior
1579
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1579
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a detailed drawing of a tall, ornate cup with a wide, flat top. The sides are covered in intricate patterns—faces, swirls, and tiny shapes that look carved. Two smaller portraits of a woman and a bearded man sit on either side, almost like bookends. The cup’s top has a central face with a crown, maybe a king or a god. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and depth, making it look almost three-dimensional. The whole thing feels like something from a castle or a royal feast. Want to know more? Look up engraving to see how artists like this made prints.
