Theodor de Bry
Flemish, 1538–1598
Ornamental Design for Knife Handle
INV-2240
Theodor de Bry
Flemish, 1538–1598c. 1588
Ornamental Design for Knife Handle
Theodor de Bry Flemish, 1538–1598 →engravingpaper
Date
c. 1588
Medium
Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Image/sheet, trimmed within platemark: 9 × 2.2 cm (3 9/16 × 7/8 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
The Amanda S. Johnson and Marion J. Livingston Fund
These elegant knife handles (2014.1123 and 2014.1125) are a paired set printed from the same plate. Perhaps supplying front and back decorations for the same handle, both images include a nude female figure. The piece on the right depicts the ancient Roman figure of Lucretia, who was said to have committed suicide after being raped because she could not bear the dishonor brought on her family. Here she uses a blade to pierce her breast.
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