Large Pendant, Two Fantasy Creatures with Long Tails at Bottom 1596

Daniel Mignot created this etching of a "Large Pendant, Two Fantasy Creatures with Long Tails at Bottom" in Germany, sometime between 1593 and 1616. It’s an intriguing example of the printmaker’s craft, but it is also a window into the social world of early modern Europe. Pendants like these were popular amongst the aristocratic class, as they suggested wealth, status, and taste. Mignot was not only an artist but also a businessman, and prints such as this one were his stock-in-trade. The image demonstrates fine craftsmanship but may also have served as a model for the goldsmith's workshop. The pendant blends elements of the classical world, such as the symmetrical design, with elements of the bizarre, such as the fantastic creatures that seem to guard the base. To fully understand this print, the art historian needs to investigate the institutions that governed its creation. Questions can be asked about the patronage system that allowed artists like Mignot to thrive. The place of luxury goods in the economy, and the role of visual culture in shaping social identities are also important considerations. This etching reminds us that art is always made within specific social contexts.