Artwork Page for Ornament with Dance of the Lovers

Details / Information for Ornament with Dance of the Lovers

Ornament with Dance of the Lovers

c. 1490

Israhel van Meckenem

(German, c. 1440–1503)
Culture
Germany
Medium
engraving
Measurements
Sheet: 12.1 x 26.8 cm (4 3/4 x 10 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1952.532
Catalogue raisonné
Lehrs IX.457.617
State
II/II
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Ornament prints such as this were often used by other artists and craftsmen as source material for motifs on decorative arts or furniture.

Description

In this image, the competitive nature of love and sexual desire plays out on treacherously thorned vines that block the young suitors from their ultimate prize, the elegant lady in the center. Given the presence of two musicians, the male suitors may be performing a type of folk dance, known as a Morris dance, which was popular in courtly circles at the
time, and which relates, as well, to courtly love poetry performed by troubadours (lyrical poets of the Middle Ages).
A horizontally oriented print in dense black-inked fine lines depicts a woman in a pointed headdress surrounded by swirling, thorny vines. These vines form circular frames around six men leaping or climbing, including one playing a flute and drum. At the base of the central vine, a dog rests on the ground. Below the intricate foliage, angular text at the bottom center reads "Israhel V M" against a plain border.

Ornament with Dance of the Lovers

c. 1490

Israhel van Meckenem

(German, c. 1440–1503)
Germany

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