Shield with Swan, Held by Woman

c. 1480/1490

Martin Schongauer

Associated Names
Martin Schongauer

Artist, German, c. 1450 - 1491

The image shows a portrait of a woman from the knees up, seated in a relaxed position. She has distinct facial features with a gentle expression, her hair styled in an intricate braid wrapped around her head. She is dressed in a long, flowing gown with fitted sleeves, adorned with a small decorative element on the bodice. The gown extends with draped fabric pooling around her. The woman holds a large heraldic shield in her right hand, depicting an image of a swan with an elongated neck. Surrounding her are stylized details of foliage and flowers, enhancing the circular composition. There are no other objects of note or jewelry visible on her. The background is plain, focusing attention on the central figure within the circular frame.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.82

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 97, State only

  • Series Title

    Series of Coats of Arms [Lehrs 95-104]

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Friedrich August II, King of Saxony [1797-1854], Dresden (Lugt 971); (Knoedler and Co., New York); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], 1929; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1930

  • Etchings by Martin Schongauer from the Lessing Rosenwald Collection, The Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA, 1930.

1967

  • Fifteenth Century Engravings of Northern Europe from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., NGA, 1967-1968, no. 93, repro.

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. 93.

Wikidata ID

Q64960295

You may be interested in

Loading Results