Study with Two Alternate Designs for a Cartouche

A pen and brown ink study shows a cartouche divided by a vertical line into two alternate versions. Each half has an oval central field framed by scrolling acanthus-like ornament, with a hanging festoon of fruit and leaves on the left and a lion's head mask on the right. The drawing is set on a pale, slightly toned sheet.

Look closer: A small lion's head mask sits on the right scroll, with a bunch of fruit hanging below it.

Artist

Anonymous, Italian, 19th century

Date

19th century

Medium

Pen and brown ink over black chalk or graphite

Source

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Size

1922 × 2542 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1948