Artwork
Ornament with One Male and Two Female Figures
Ornament with One Male and Two Female Figures is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. It dates from 1524 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Ornament with One Male and Two Female Figures is a 1524 engraving by Sebald Beham, a prominent German artist of the early 16th century. Characterized by its intricate details and small scale, the work exemplifies the style of the 'Little Masters,' a group of artists influenced by Albrecht Dürer.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts a decorative composition centered on three figures: a seated, bearded man with a staff, flanked by two winged female figures. The trio is seamlessly integrated into an ornamental framework, with the women partially concealed by foliage.
Technique & Style
Beham employed cross-hatching to achieve deep, textured shading. This technique involves closely spaced, intersecting lines, evident in the engraving's dark, crisscrossed background, which creates a sense of volume and depth.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1524, the work is a quintessential example of Beham's contribution to the 'Little Masters' tradition, reflecting the group's emphasis on finely detailed engravings and woodcuts in the wake of Dürer's influence.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
