Design for a Dish with Portraits of the Roman Emperors Vetllius, Domit

A circular engraved design with three profile portraits of Roman emperors in laurel-wreathed medallions, one at top and two at the lower corners. The central panel reads MAXIMA EGESTAS EST AVARITIA, surrounded by dense scrolling ornament and small figures in the dark border.

Look closer: The engraver's signature, THEO DE BRY FE ET EX, is inscribed along the lower edge.

Artist

Theodor de Bry

Date

ca. 1588

Medium

Engraving

Source

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Size

3387 × 3394 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1923