Artwork
Sphinx Wearing a Crescent on Her Head
Sphinx Wearing a Crescent on Her Head is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jean Mignon. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Sphinx Wearing a Crescent on Her Head is an etching created by Jean Mignon in 1563. It exemplifies the artist's work in printmaking, a medium that was gaining prominence in 16th-century France.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a hybrid figure with a woman's face and bird's legs, standing on a pedestal and holding ornate candelabras. A crescent moon adorns her head, and her face is rendered with calm, smooth features. The image draws on Italian artistic influences, reflecting the cultural exchange of the time.
Technique & Style
Mignon employed etching, a printmaking technique that involves carving lines into a surface and filling them with ink to produce detailed images. This method allowed for the creation of sharp, intricate designs, as seen in the candelabras and the sphinx's features.
History & Provenance
The work is associated with the First School of Fontainebleau, a hub of artistic activity in 16th-century France. Mignon's etching reflects the school's blend of French and Italian artistic traditions, with influences from artists like Luca Penni and Francesco Primaticcio.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Mignon was a French artist in painting and printmaking in the 16th century, active from 1537 to the mid-1550s.
