Series of Cartouches, in: Targhe ed altri ornati di varie e capricciose invenzioni (Cartouches and other ornaments of various and capricious invention, page 37) 1540 - 1560

This print, made by Cornelis Bos, is one of many designs for cartouches from his series "Targhe ed altri ornati," or "Cartouches and other ornaments," and it demonstrates the influence of the Italian Renaissance on Northern European art. Here, the profile of an aristocratic woman is framed by an elaborate architectural design, complete with lion heads and decorative foliage. The woman's serene expression and classical hairstyle present an idealized vision of feminine beauty and status. As the design is devoid of religious symbols it suggests a shift towards humanism, a hallmark of the Renaissance, which emphasized human values and earthly experience. Bos, like many artists of his time, navigated the religious and political upheavals of the Reformation. His choice to focus on secular, decorative designs may reflect a desire to find patronage across different religious affiliations during a fractious time. This print, while seemingly ornamental, speaks to the complex negotiation of identity, class, and artistic expression during the Renaissance.