
Read the visual description
This drawing depicts an intricately designed heraldic figure. A central human bust with a bearded male visage sits atop a pedestalesque construct adorned with decorative scrollwork and hanging tassels. Crossed swords, each adorned with circular shields, extend from either side of the bust. Suspended from the swords are garlands that include various botanical elements such as leaves, vines, and possibly fruits. The piece is rich in detail with intricate shading, creating texture and depth, giving it a primarily ornamental and emblematic appearance.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Bearded Head on a Pedestal
Jean Mignon
- Medium
- etching
- Dimensions
- sheet: 26.7 × 18.2 cm (10 1/2 × 7 3/16 in.)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 1964.8.861
- Credit line
- Rosenwald Collection
- Time span
- 1501 to 1550
- Department
- CG-E
Portfolio and series
- Series
- Series of Twenty Terminals [Zerner 1969 9-28]
Subjects and terms
- Fruit
- Fontainebleau
- Sword
- Face
NGA object ID 48073. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.