Rond ornament, in een medaillon in het midden zit een paar 1547 - 1612

Philips Galle created this round ornament as an engraving. This is the second in a series designed by Marcus Geerarts. The print testifies to the rise of secular art, or art that isn't specifically religious in nature. It also demonstrates the increasing complexity of the printmaking business. Galle was based in Antwerp, the economic centre of the Low Countries in the 16th Century, a place where humanist ideals flourished. He had a large, successful workshop in which he not only produced his own prints, but also employed other engravers and acted as a publisher. Galle's establishment helped disseminate the work of other artists to a wide audience. These ornaments are thought to have been used by goldsmiths, or other artisans to create elaborate designs on precious objects. Art historians can learn more about the cultural contexts and artistic influences on Galle’s prints by studying the archives of printmaking workshops and the records of the publishing industry in 16th-century Antwerp.