Artwork

Three Brooches with Winged Snakes at Left and Right and Winged Griffins at Bottom

Three Brooches with Winged Snakes at Left and Right and Winged Griffins at Bottom is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Daniel Mignot. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Daniel Mignot’s 1596 engraving presents a study of three decorative metal brooches. Rendered in fine black lines on a light sheet, the composition arranges two smaller pieces above a larger central one, each adorned with foliage, floral motifs, and a crown‑like terminus.

Subject & Meaning

The brooches are embellished with fantastical creatures: winged serpents coil around the central ornament, while winged griffins support the lower element. These mythic figures convey a blend of power and imagination, suggesting the pieces were intended to signal wealth and sophisticated taste.

Technique & Style

Mignot employed the engraving process, incising intricate patterns into a copper plate before printing. The work is characterized by dense hatching and delicate stippling that render textures such as metal sheen, foliage, and the scales of the serpents, reflecting the meticulous ornamental style of late‑Renaissance printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in 1596, the print is attributed to French engraver Daniel Mignot, known for his ornamental designs. No specific patron or collection is recorded, and the image likely served as a pattern book illustration for goldsmiths or decorative arts workshops of the period.