1558
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Unicorn Purifies the Water with Its Horn is a 1558 ink by Jean Duvet, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a wild forest scene where a unicorn stands near a river, its horn touching the water. Around it, a lion, deer, and other animals gather peacefully. In the background, a city with towers and a tall column sits on a hill, with trees framing the view. The unicorn’s horn is often linked to myths about purifying water. The artist packed tiny lines to create shadows and texture—this is called cross-hatching. Try looking up cross-hatching to see how it works.
Jean Duvet (1485 – after 1562) was a French Renaissance goldsmith and engraver, now best known for his engravings.
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