Artwork
Ornament with a Child on the Back of a Sphinx
Ornament with a Child on the Back of a Sphinx is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Heinrich Aldegrever. It dates from 1535 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Ornament with a Child on the Back of a Sphinx is an engraving created by Heinrich Aldegrever in 1535. It exemplifies the artist's work as part of the 'Little Masters,' a group known for their small-scale prints.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving features a decorative motif with a child on a sphinx's back, reaching for a vase of fruit, surrounded by twisting vines and flowers. The scene is densely packed with intricate details, including a coiled snake and fruit bowl.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Aldegrever's skill with engraving, using sharp, busy lines to create a dramatic contrast between black and white. The style is characteristic of the 'Little Masters,' who followed in the tradition of Albrecht Dürer.
Artist & collection
Artist
Heinrich Aldegrever or Aldegraf (1502–1555, 1558 or 1561) was a German painter and engraver. He was one of the "Little Masters", the group of German artists making small old master prints in the generation after Albrecht Dürer.
