A Phoenix Seated on a Tree with Animals
Original title: A phoenix sat atop a tree, wings open, an assortment of animals below
kurzbeschreibung
The Master of the Die, an anonymous Italian engraver of the Renaissance, produced this print between 1530 and 1560. It shows a phoenix with spread wings perched in a tree, while a lion, a stag, an ape and a dog have gathered calmly beneath it.
Description
The layout is symmetrical, with the phoenix as the focal point. Below the tree, the lion, stag, ape and dog stand or lie peacefully together. Trees and plants fill the background, and a border with Latin text runs along the lower edge. The light is even throughout, with no strong shadows.
Context
The Master of the Die worked in Rome as a Renaissance engraver. He received his notname because he regularly signed his prints with a small die. At the time this print was made, printmaking was circulating widely, and mythological and allegorical subjects were highly popular.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and the calm poses of the animals give the sheet a balanced, almost idyllic quality. The detailed linework makes it look precise, almost scientific, which invites the viewer to look closely.
Technique
In this engraving, the lines were cut into the metal plate with a burin. Fine, carefully placed strokes give structure to fur and feathers. Typical of printmaking of the period is the even distribution of light without strong contrasts.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)