Artwork
Shield with Lion's Head, Held by Wild Woman
Shield with Lion's Head, Held by Wild Woman is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Martin Schongauer. It dates from 1485 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created circa 1485, this copperplate engraving portrays a fierce, partially nude woman clutching a shield adorned with a lion’s head.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1485, this copperplate engraving portrays a fierce, partially nude woman clutching a shield adorned with a lion’s head. She is dressed in a fur skirt, cradles an infant in her left arm, and is confronted by a winged, bearded figure with horns that appears to press against her back. The composition combines mythic symbolism with vivid human emotion.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, often interpreted as a wild or mythic woman, embodies both protective and aggressive qualities, suggested by the shield and the snarling lion motif. The infant she holds may signify maternal guardianship, while the horned, winged attendant could represent a demonic or chthonic force, creating a tension between nurturing and threatening forces.
Technique & Style
The print demonstrates Schongauer’s mastery of line engraving, employing densely packed hatching to render the texture of fur, musculature, and the lion’s mane. Fine cross‑hatching builds subtle tonal gradations, while bold outlines define the figures. This intricate handling of line was innovative for late‑15th‑century German prints, achieving a near‑painterly depth on a flat surface.
History & Provenance
The engraving has survived in several impressions, passing through private collections before entering museum holdings in the 20th century.
The work belongs to the body of 116 known engravings produced by Martin Schongauer, an Alsatian artist active in Colmar and Breisach. Recognized in his lifetime as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin, he is considered the foremost German printmaker before Albrecht Dürer. The engraving has survived in several impressions, passing through private collections before entering museum holdings in the 20th century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Martin Schongauer (c. 1450–1453, Colmar – 2 February 1491, Breisach), also known as Martin Schön ("Martin beautiful") or Hübsch Martin ("pretty Martin") by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter. He…
