Artwork

Faun Attacking a Snake

Faun Attacking a Snake, by Unknown, 1485
Faun Attacking a Snake, by Unknown, 1485

Faun Attacking a Snake is a print by the Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1485 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Faun Attacking a Snake is a black-and-white print depicting a half-human, half-goat figure wrestling a serpent.

Subject & Meaning

The faun is shown with its arms wrapped around the snake, its face contorted in exertion, set against a backdrop of rough, rocky terrain.

Technique & Style

The artist employed chiaroscuro, using deep shadows to create a three-dimensional effect, accentuating the faun's muscles and fur, as well as the snake's coils.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.