Fantasie-bouwwerk, onderaan gesteund door twee dubbele hermen in de vorm van saters c. 1525 - 1594

This "Fantasie-bouwwerk," or "Fantasy Structure," was etched by Hans Sibmacher in the late 16th or early 17th century, a time when the visual codes of classical architecture were being revived and reinterpreted across Europe. The print is a testament to the cultural fascination with antiquity during the Renaissance. Architectural fantasies, like this one, circulated as prints, influencing designs for gardens, stage sets, and public festivals. Here, the herms and satyrs, the cornices and classical figures, signal a knowledge of ancient forms and a desire to integrate them into contemporary artistic practice. Sibmacher's print reflects the era's humanist ideals, but also its playful approach to tradition. It's neither strictly accurate nor functional, but rather a celebration of imaginative possibilities. To fully grasp its meaning, we'd need to delve deeper into the printmaking culture of the period, the specific artistic circles Sibmacher moved in, and the broader social functions of these kinds of images.