Cartouche met een tekst van Valerius Maximus 1557

This print, *Cartouche met een tekst van Valerius Maximus,* was made in the mid-16th century by Frans Huys. It’s an engraving, meaning that the artist would have used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and used to make impressions on paper. The crisp lines and the contrast of light and shadow demonstrate Huys’s mastery. Look closely, and you'll see the incredible detail he achieved: the fine lines creating texture and form, and the ornate decorations, complete with grotesque masks and scrolling foliage. The printing press was a powerful technology in the 1500s, allowing for the mass production of images and texts. Engravings like this one played a crucial role in disseminating information and artistic ideas. They also reflect the skilled labor of the printmaker, whose expertise was essential to the process. Understanding the material and the means of production is key to appreciating the cultural significance of this seemingly small, but actually powerful, object.