Artwork
The Triumph of the Unicorn
The Triumph of the Unicorn is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jean Duvet. It dates from 1561 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Triumph of the Unicorn is an engraving on laid paper created by Jean Duvet, a French Renaissance goldsmith and printmaker, around 1561. Characterized by a densely populated composition, the work exemplifies Duvet’s distinctive style.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts a triumphant scene with a woman on horseback at its center, surrounded by cheering and kneeling figures, soldiers with weaponry, and a winged angel holding a wreath overhead. The precise meaning of these elements, while rooted in religious themes common to Duvet’s work, is not explicitly defined in the provided context.
Technique & Style
Duvet employed cross-hatching with fine lines to achieve deep shadows and contrasting light areas, contributing to the work’s busy, layered appearance. The visible texture of the laid paper adds to the print’s antiquated appearance.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1561 by Jean Duvet, one of the first significant French printmakers, this engraving is part of his corpus of approximately 73 known plates. Duvet was active from at least 1485 until after 1562.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Duvet (1485 – after 1562) was a French Renaissance goldsmith and engraver, now best known for his engravings.
The Triumph of Saul and David
Huntsman Presenting a Gift to a King
The Triumph of Fame
The Apocalypse: St. John Summoned to Heaven
The Apocalypse: The Woman Clothed with the Sun
The Dragon and the Beast
The Apocalypse: Four Angels Holding Back the Winds
The Triumph of Julius Caesar: Soldiers Carrying Banners and Standards
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse