Who painted Bow Embellished with Flowers?

Bow Embellished with Flowers was painted by Johannes Hanias in 1650.

Where can I see Bow Embellished with Flowers?

Bow Embellished with Flowers is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Bow Embellished with Flowers?

Bow Embellished with Flowers is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Bow Embellished with Flowers

Johannes Hanias , 1650

Bow Embellished with Flowers is an ink print by the Baroque artist Johannes Hanias. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Johannes Hanias’s print titled *Bow Embellished with Flowers* dates from 1650. Executed as an engraving on laid paper, the work presents a single ornamental bow rendered in black and white. The composition is dominated by a broad, flat central knot densely covered with minute floral motifs, from which six elongated, triangular ribbons radiate outward.

Subject & Meaning

The image functions as a decorative study rather than a narrative scene, focusing on the formal qualities of the bow as a symbol of adornment. The repeated floral and leaf patterns emphasize the period’s fascination with intricate, nature‑derived ornamentation, suggesting a celebration of elegance and craftsmanship.

Technique & Style

Hanias employed traditional copper engraving, incising the design into a metal plate before inking and pressing it onto laid paper, which imparts a faint grid texture to the surface. The fine line work achieves a high level of detail, especially in the swirling foliage and scalloped edges, while the stark monochrome palette highlights the contrast between line and negative space.

Context

Mid‑seventeenth‑century Northern European printmaking often produced ornamental designs for use in book illustration, pattern books, or as standalone decorative objects. This piece aligns with that tradition, reflecting contemporary tastes for elaborate, nature‑inspired motifs in both printed and applied arts.