Artwork
Gustus (Taste)
Gustus (Taste) is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Cornelis Cort. It dates from 1561 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis Cort’s 1561 print titled *Gustus (Taste)* is an engraving executed on laid paper. The work presents a seated female figure amid a natural setting, surrounded by fruit and a curious monkey. Rendered entirely in black and white, the image relies on fine line work to convey texture and depth, exemplifying the meticulous approach characteristic of mid‑sixteenth‑century printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The composition functions as an allegorical representation of the sense of taste. The woman, dressed in a flowing gown and modestly veiled, selects fruit from a basket laden with grapes, apples and other produce, symbolizing culinary pleasure. The attentive monkey, perched nearby, adds a note of playful observation, reinforcing the theme of sensory enjoyment.
Technique & Style
Cort employed a dense network of cross‑hatching and stippling to model forms and suggest the varied surfaces of fabric, foliage, and fruit skins. The engraving’s line work creates a nuanced tonal range despite the monochrome medium, while the careful rendering of the laid‑paper texture contributes to the overall visual richness.
History & Provenance
Born in the Netherlands, Cort spent the last dozen years of his career in Italy, where he was known as Cornelio Fiammingo. *Gustus (Taste)* dates from this Italian period, reflecting the cross‑cultural influences that shaped his practice. The print circulated among collectors of the era, though specific ownership records for this particular impression are not documented.
Context
The print belongs to a broader tradition of Renaissance allegorical imagery that linked the five senses to moral and aesthetic ideas. Such works often appeared in printed books or as standalone prints, serving both decorative and instructional purposes within educated circles of the 1500s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Cort (c. 1533 – c. 17 March 1578) was a Dutch engraver and draughtsman. He spent the last 12 years of his life in Italy, where he was known as Cornelio Fiammingo.
