The Eagle of Saint John

c. 1490

Martin Schongauer

Associated Names
Martin Schongauer

Artist, German, c. 1450 - 1491

This is a drawing of a bird within a circular medallion. The bird has a long neck, sharp claws, and outstretched wings with detailed feathering. It stands with one foot slightly raised while holding a flowing banner or ribbon within the medallion's design. The head of the bird is portrayed with a serene expression and there is a halo behind it. The background is simple. The drawing is detailed with clear lines, emphasizing the texture of the feathers and the grace of the composition.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1945.7.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 75, State only

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Richard H. Zinser, Forest Hills, NY); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], 1945; gift to NGA, 1945.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1945

  • New Acquisitions in the Rosenwald Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1945, no catalogue.

1959

  • Graphic Art of Durer and Schongauer, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 1959, no catalogue.

1967

  • Fifteenth Century Engravings of Northern Europe from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., NGA, 1967-1968, no. 98, repro.

1968

  • Christmas Prints from the Rosenwald Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1968-1969, no catalogue.

Bibliography

1908

  • Lehrs, Max. Geschichte und kritischer Katalog des deutschen, niederlandischen und franzosischen Kupferstichs im XV. Jahrhundert. 9 vols. and 1 plate vol. Vienna: Gesellschaft fur vervielfaltigende Kunst, 1908-1934.

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. 8 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1954-1868. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberge

1967

  • Shestack, Alan. Fifteenth Century Engravings of Northern Europe from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.. Exh. cat. Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1967: no. 98.

Wikidata ID

Q65080979

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