
Read the visual description
The image displays swirling, symmetrical shapes and lines woven together to form an abstract composition. The lines resemble leaves and vines, creating an impression of ornate foliage. Faces resembling cherubs or mythical figures are interspersed within the design, with some heads crowned by leaves or tendrils. The arrangement suggests movement, as if the shapes are billowing like smoke or steam, evoking classical art found in decorative architecture.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Ascending Ornament
Lambert Hopfer
- Date
- 1520-1550; printed 1684
- Medium
- etching
- Classification
- Accession number
- 1943.3.4649
- Credit line
- Rosenwald Collection
- Time span
- 1501 to 1550
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- German
- Sculpture
- Leaf
- Face
- Cherub
NGA object ID 7388. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.