Griffin
Martin Schongauer German
Not on view
A combination of an eagle and an ox, this griffin departs from traditional representations in which it is shown as part eagle, part lion. Martin Schongauer imparted a great deal of majesty and naturalism to this mythical beast, whose depiction is more effective than many of the artist’s images of animals from the natural world. The self-assured draftsmanship in this late work reveals Schongauer’s artistic maturity; most telling is the shape and texture of the feathers, which are suggested with a few bold strokes.
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