1485
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Griffin is a 1485 ink by Martin Schongauer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a strange creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Its fur is thick and textured, while the feathers on its wings look sharp and detailed. The creature’s face is fierce, with sharp claws and a curled tail. The artist used lines to build up shadows and texture, making the creature look almost three-dimensional. This kind of drawing was made by cutting into a metal plate—a process called *engraving*. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made prints.
Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.
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