Stralende ster in ornamenteel cartouche 1723

This print, "Stralende ster in ornamenteel cartouche," was made by Bernard Picart, most likely in the early 1700s. It’s an etching, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, which was then inked and printed onto paper. Notice the incredible intricacy of the design. The central image of a star over a mountain is framed by swirling, symmetrical ornamentation: foliage, grapes, human faces and horns. This elaborate cartouche, as it's called, would have been laborious to create. The design had to be carefully cut into the metal plate using specialized tools. This required considerable skill and time, reflecting the value placed on highly crafted objects during this period. Prints like this were often used as templates for other kinds of luxury goods, such as furniture or ceramics. This one is particularly interesting because it celebrates human ingenuity and artistry, even as it acknowledges the vastness of the cosmos. Picart's etching sits at the intersection of art, craft, and design.