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The 16th century

Works made in the 16th century, anywhere in the world.

210 works · hang 7200 ·

The rooms are imagined; every work on their walls is real.

Walk this roomRehang this room

Section 1, north wall

  1. This is a drawing of a heraldic emblem. The image shows a centaur-like figure holding a bow and arrow, with leaves around its head. Below, there is a shield divided into two sections: the upper part shows shapes resembling birds, while the lower part shows a hound-like animal in a running pose. The shield is surrounded by swirling acanthus-like leaves, with additional decorative elements and a blank scroll space below it.
    CrestMichel Le BlonCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. "Alexander Visits the Sage Plato in his Mountain Cave", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, by Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, 1597–98
    "Alexander Visits the Sage Plato in his Mountain Cave", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau DihlaviAmir Khusrau Dihlavi, 1597–98Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 1, south wall

  1. The image shows a landscape viewed from above. The scene is oval, framed by tree branches on each side. Distant mountains form a boundary near the top. Delicate, finely executed lines create detailed foliage and landscape features. A winding path with a small figure adds scale. Lush trees climb upwards, with a muted color palette of the paper and dark brown and black lines providing contrast.
    The Boulder Crowned with TreesHerman van SwaneveltCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. A work made of pen and brown ink, heightened with lead white (partly discolored), over black chalk, on blue laid paper, laid down on ivory laid paper.
    ApolloJan Harmensz. Muller, c. 1600-1620Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 2, south wall

  1. Amya Petitioning Faustus for the Custody of Saint Mamas, by Jean Cousin the Elder, ca. 1543
    Amya Petitioning Faustus for the Custody of Saint MamasJean Cousin the Elder, ca. 1543Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. A work made of engraving on two joined sheets of ivory laid paper.
    Fortune Distributing her GiftsJan Harmensz. Muller, 1590Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 2, north wall

  1. Erasmus of Rotterdam, by Hans Holbein the Younger, ca. 1532
    Erasmus of RotterdamHans Holbein the Younger, ca. 1532Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Six women, eight men, two satyrs, and one child gather in pairs and trios in a loose row that spans the width of this nearly square painting. They are set within a landscape with craggy rocks, cliffs, and trees. Most of the people face us, and the men, women, and child have pale skin. The two satyrs have men’s torsos and furry goat’s legs, and they have darker, olive complexions. Most of the men wear voluminous, knee-length togas wrapped in short robes in shades of white, topaz blue, grass green, coral orange, or rose pink. Most of the women wear long, dress-like garments in tones of shell pink, apricot orange, or lapis blue over white sleeves. For all but one woman, their garments have fallen off one shoulder to reveal a round, firm breast. Several objects are strewn on the rocky, dirt ground in front of the group, including a wide, wooden bucket with a piece of paper affixed to its front to our right, a glass goblet, a pitchfork, a large blue and white ceramic dish filled with grapes and small yellow fruits, and an overturned cup near the center. Cliff-like, craggy rocks rise steeply behind the group to our left, filling much of the sky opposite a tall grove of leafy, dark green trees to our right. A few puffy white clouds float across the vivid blue sky. The slip of paper on the barrel has been inscribed, “joannes bellinus venetus p MDXIIII.”
    The Feast of the GodsGiovanni Bellini, 1514/1529Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, north wall

  1. The image shows a pattern of vertical and horizontal wooden bars forming a grid-like design. In the center, there is a rectangular panel with a decorative emblem against a red background. The emblem features swirling shapes. The structured wooden grid and ornate emblem suggest a vintage heraldic shield or coat of arms.
    Margarethe Vöhlin [reverse]Bernhard Strigel, 1527Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. A work made of engraving in black on cream laid paper.
    The Carnival (or the Prodigal Son)Jan Sadeler, I, 1588Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 3, south wall

  1. The Nativity, by Giorgio Ghisi, 1553
    The NativityGiorgio Ghisi, 1553Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. A work made of engraving on three joined sheets of ivory laid paper.
    Christ at the Feast of SimonJan Saenredam, c. 1590-1600Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 4, south wall

  1. Figure Mooring a Boat, by Kannan, mid-1500s
    Figure Mooring a BoatKannan, mid-1500sCourtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. Farmhouse on the Slope of a Hill, by Fra Bartolommeo, c. 1508
    Farmhouse on the Slope of a HillFra Bartolommeo, c. 1508Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Section 4, north wall

  1. Portrait of Cosimo de' Medici in full armor, his left hand resting on a staff, by Niccolò della Casa, 1544
    Portrait of Cosimo de' Medici in full armor, his left hand resting on a staffNiccolò della Casa, 1544Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. A work made of engraving in black on cream laid paper.
    Christ Raises the Dead Son of the Widow of NainJacob Matham, 1593/94Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago