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Artwork

Consecration of an Eagle

Italian 16th Century , 1512

Consecration of an Eagle, by Italian 16th Century, 1512
Consecration of an Eagle, by Italian 16th Century, 1512

Consecration of an Eagle is a print by the Renaissance artist Italian 16th Century. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Consecration of an Eagle is a niello print depicting a ritual scene with two figures and a bird.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows a bearded, shirtless man holding a bird, possibly an eagle, near a flame on a decorated pedestal, while a woman in a long dress gestures toward the bird, suggesting a symbolic or sacred act.

Technique & Style

The artist created the print using niello, a technique involving etching a design into metal and filling it with a black alloy to achieve high contrast, resulting in a dark, detailed image with strong chiaroscuro.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Italian 16th Century

Artist

Italian 16th Century

A 16th-century Italian sculptor left us small bronze works in dark brown and gold.

MORE BY ITALIAN 16TH CENTURY

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of National Gallery of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.