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This is a drawing of mythological creatures in a dynamic scene. A centaur is depicted engaging with a unicorn. The background consists of swirling clouds and a rugged landscape. The drawing includes intricate details showing the textures and forms of the creatures. The style resembles an old master's engraving style.
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This is a drawing of mythological creatures in a dynamic scene. A centaur is depicted engaging with a unicorn. The background consists of swirling clouds and a rugged landscape. The drawing includes intricate details showing the textures and forms of the creatures. The style resembles an old master's engraving style.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Abduction on a Unicorn

Albrecht Dürer

Date
1516
Medium
etching (iron) on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet (trimmed to plate mark): 30.7 × 20.9 cm (12 1/16 × 8 1/4 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
1943.3.3534
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1501 to 1550
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • German
  • Woman
  • Female nude
  • animal
  • Man
  • Cloud
Provenance

purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA (Lugt 1760b and Lugt 1932d), 1928; gift to NGA, 1943.

Inscription

in plate, upper right, on cloud: 1516 / AD [artist's monogram]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: La Pohe [?]; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: No 4412; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: B 72; verso, lower center, in graphite by a later hand: 64 [sideways]; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: 5

Watermarks

anchor in circle (Meder 171)

NGA object ID 6652. 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.