Blackwork Print with Five Ornament Motifs, a Pair of Butterflies and a Grotesque 1592 - 1604

Here at the Met, is Hans de Bull’s Blackwork Print with Five Ornament Motifs, a Pair of Butterflies and a Grotesque, made around the turn of the 17th century. The print is organized around a bold, central 'T' shape, densely filled with ornate, repeating patterns that draw the eye. Around this anchor, de Bull arranges additional motifs with surprising asymmetry: inverted triangle shapes, a fantastical winged creature taking aim with bow and arrow, and whimsical butterflies. The stark contrast between the black ink and the light paper creates a dramatic visual effect, emphasizing the intricate details of each ornament. The careful placement of each element suggests a deeper structural logic, perhaps hinting at the artist’s fascination with symbolic codes and decorative systems. These motifs were likely intended as templates for artisans, but they also function as a playful exploration of form and meaning. De Bull invites us to find our own order in the arrangement, to explore how these patterns speak across history and culture.