Triumph of Unicorn, c. 1555
Jean Duvetexpand_more
Engravingexpand_more
Gift of Miss Tessie Jones in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herschel V. Jones, 1966expand_more P.13,781
Not on Viewexpand_more
The unicorn is a mythical creature, but in the 1500s people believed it existed and thought its rarity was the reason no one had actually seen one. In this engraving a troupe of virgins (only a virgin could tame a unicorn) accompanies a unicorn in a triumphal procession. The unicorn symbolizes Jesus Christ—but with a pagan twist. God the Father, descending from heaven to witness the crowning of the unicorn by an angel, is shown as Jupiter, the supreme pagan god, accompanied by the Holy Ghost in the form of an eagle. Jean Duvet made this engraving as part of a series featuring unicorns.
Details
- Title
- Triumph of Unicorn
- Artist Life
- 1485 - 1570
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.13,781
- Provenance
- unidentified script
- Catalogue Raisonne
- RD. 58
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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