The Angel in the Sun Calling the Birds of Prey

1546/1556

Jean Duvet

Associated Names
Jean Duvet

Artist, French, 1485 - c. 1570

This is a drawing illustrating a chaotic scene with a divine figure and a battle. The composition includes numerous figures engaged in action. A central angelic figure is depicted in the upper middle section, hovering amidst clouds. The figure is surrounded by radial lines and is gesturing outward. Below, there is a group of armored soldiers and animals involved in a fierce struggle. The artwork features intricate line work to depict the texture and detail. Various animals and soldiers contribute to the sense of conflict. In the upper left corner, two angels and an eagle are depicted. An inscription reads "HIST CAP 19 APOC," indicating a potential reference to a scriptural or apocalyptic narrative.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to plate mark): 29.5 × 21.5 cm (11 5/8 × 8 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.3706

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Eisler 1979, no. 58, State ii/ii

  • Series Title

    Plate 20 from the Apocalypse

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Charles Sessler [1854-1935], Philadelphia); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], 1929; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1933

  • An Exhibition of Prints from the Collection of Lessing J. Rosenwald, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 1933, no. 85.

1945

  • Prints from the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, John Herron Art Institute, Indianapolis, IN, 1945, no. 40.

1959

  • Old Master Prints from the Rosenwald Collection, Brown University, Providence, RI, 1959.

Bibliography

1979

  • Eisler, Colin. The Master of the Unicorn: The Life and Work of Jean Duvet. New York: Abaris Books,1979.

Inscriptions

"IOHA / NNES / DVVET / FAC" recto, on plate, on flag at upper left. "HIST / CAP 19 / APOC" recto, on plate, on plaque at upper center. "14296" verso, lower left, graphite, unknown hand.

Markings

"National Gallery of Art" verso, lower left, black stamped ink. "LJR" verso, lower left, black stamped ink.

Wikidata ID

Q64958979

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