Ornate goblet on feet of masks (1645, Met-Objekt 1995)
Original title: Ornate goblet on feet of masks
kurzbeschreibung
A lavishly ornamented goblet whose foot is borne by masked figures forms the subject of this 1645 etching by Wenceslaus Hollar. The print survives in a single state and measures 19.1 × 11.7 cm (plate). Ornamental richness of detail and a figured finial are joined here in one design.
Description
Masked figures support the foot of a tall goblet, its bowl covered in floral and ornamental patterns that run up to the rim, where a cornice rests. Above it rises a crowned figure with a sash in a triumphant pose. The foot tapers into a pedestal, and at the bottom appear lines of text giving the artist's name and the year. Everything stays monochrome and extremely detailed.
Context
Hollar etched this sheet in 1645 in Antwerp, where he had settled in 1644. It belongs with his work for art collectors and publishers who valued decorative models. Ornament prints of this kind often served goldsmiths as patterns or enthusiasts as collectibles. Hollar was known for his exact reproductions and his own designs.
Impact
Fine lines and a clear structure give the goblet a monumental presence. The abundance of ornament and the crowning figure create a festive, almost theatrical mood. The monochrome print brings draughtsmanship and symmetrical arrangement to the fore.
Technique
An etching that exists in only one state. The process allowed Hollar fine, even lines and a precise rendering of the ornaments. The plate was printed on paper measuring 19.4 × 11.9 cm; the margins are closely trimmed.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)