Taste (Gustus) - Cornelis Cort

A 1561 engraving by Cornelis Cort representing the sense of taste through an allegorical figure and symbolic imagery.

This engraving, titled Gustus (Taste), is part of a series depicting the Five Senses, produced by the Dutch printmaker Cornelis Cort in 1561. Cort, who spent his later years in Italy, was a master of the burin, and his technical precision is evident in the varied textures of the foliage, the woven basket, and the folds of the figure's garments. The composition follows the Northern Renaissance tradition of using allegorical figures to represent human perception.

The central figure is a woman seated in a natural setting, engaged in the act of tasting fruit. Her posture is relaxed, yet the inclusion of a monkey, chained to a stone wall, introduces a layer of moral commentary common to the period. The monkey, often associated with base instincts and gluttony, serves as a counterpoint to the human subject. The foreground is filled with an abundance of produce, including grapes and other fruits, which are rendered with careful attention to form and light. The Latin inscription at the base, 'SENSORIVM GVSTATVS EST NERVVS SVPRA LINGVAM EXPANVS AD QVEM SAPOR PERVENIT DVCTVS A SALIVA', provides a physiological explanation of the sense of taste, reflecting the era's interest in the intersection of classical philosophy and empirical observation.

Cort's work is characterised by a sophisticated use of cross-hatching to create volume and depth. The print demonstrates his ability to translate complex allegorical themes into a clear, readable visual language. By focusing on the physical act of eating, the artist invites the viewer to consider the sensory experience as both a biological function and a subject for artistic exploration. This piece remains a fine example of sixteenth-century printmaking, showcasing the technical rigour that defined Cort's career and his contribution to the dissemination of Northern European artistic styles.