Ornament Panel: Two Sphinxes and Two  Children Holding Palms

Ornament Panel: Two Sphinxes and Two Children Holding Palms

Giovanni Pietro Birago

1510

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a tall, narrow design with lots of swirling lines. Two small figures stand near the middle, holding palm branches. Above them are two winged lions with human heads—sphinxes—sitting on a fancy platform. The background is packed with flowers, leaves, and scrollwork. The whole thing looks like it was carved into metal. The lines are tight and precise, making the shapes pop. The artist used shading to add depth to the figures and decorations. Want to see more like this? Check out engraving to learn how artists create these detailed prints.

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