Shield with a Unicorn, Held by a Lady

1480·Engraving in black on ivory laid paper·7.6 × 7.6 cm (3 × 3 in.)

<p>In contrast to the wild man, woman, and child seen nearby (1956.917 and 1944.608), this engraving portrays a member of civilization. Only virgins were said to be able to attract and tame unicorns; by including the mythical beast in the shield, Schongauer emphasized the subject’s purity. Later Northern European artists such as Albrecht Dürer would frequently feature this type of grassy bench in depictions of tender moments between the Virgin Mary and Christ Child.</p>

Catalogue

Year: 1480
Medium: Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
Dimensions: 7.6 × 7.6 cm (3 × 3 in.)
Collection: Art Institute of Chicago
Artist: Martin Schongauer

Artist

Martin Schongauer

Painting

Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter. He was the most important printmaker north of the Alps before Albrecht Dürer, a younger artist who collected his work. Schongauer is the first German painter to be a significant engraver, although he seems to have had the family background and training in goldsmithing which was usual for early engravers.

Colmar, France

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