1528
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Ornament with Two Sphinxes and a Winged Man is a 1528 ink by Lucas van Leyden, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows two winged sphinxes facing each other, their bodies wrapped in swirling patterns. Between them sits a small winged man on a pedestal, holding a staff. The whole scene is framed by ornate scrollwork and a shield with the year 1528. The sphinxes have human heads but animal bodies, a mix of strength and mystery. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and texture, making the shapes pop from the dark background. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this carved detailed images into metal plates.
Lucas van Leyden (1494 – 8 August 1533), was a Dutch painter and printmaker in engraving and woodcut. Lucas van Leyden was among the first Dutch exponents of genre painting and was a very accomplished engraver.
See the richer artist page
