1485
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Shield with Swan, Held by Woman is a 1485 ink by Martin Schongauer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a woman holding a swan with outstretched wings. She’s dressed in a loose, flowing gown with a tied belt, and her hair is pulled back under a headband. The swan’s feathers are detailed, and its neck curves gracefully over her arm. The background has small birds and plants, giving a sense of nature around her. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth, especially in the swan’s feathers and her clothing. This is an example of engraving, a technique where artists etch lines into metal plates.
Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.
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