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Shield with Unicorn, Held by Woman, by Martin Schongauer, ink, 1485

Shield with Unicorn, Held by Woman

Martin Schongauer

1485

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

Shield with Unicorn, Held by Woman is a 1485 ink by Martin Schongauer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?
Martin Schongauer
When & what style?
1485 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?
National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a woman holding a shield with a unicorn on it. She’s dressed in old-fashioned clothes, with a high collar and a fancy hat. The unicorn stands on its hind legs, looking calm, while the shield has a wavy, textured background. The woman’s pose and the unicorn’s peaceful stance suggest this isn’t just a random scene—it’s likely a symbol for something deeper. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and details, making everything look precise and detailed. If you’re curious about how this was made, look up engraving.

About the artist

Portrait of Martin Schongauer
Artist

Martin Schongauer

Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.

See the richer artist page

More by Martin Schongauer

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