Innocence and Unicorn in a Moonlit Landscape [reverse]
1447
![Innocence and Unicorn in a Moonlit Landscape [reverse] by Pisanello](https://images.artheonmuseum.org/nga/thumb/innocence-and-unicorn-in-a-moonlit-landscape-nga-44347.webp)
Medium
lead
Dimensions
overall (diameter): 8.66 cm (3 7/16 in.) gross weight: 215.56 gr (0.475 lb.) axis: 12:00
Classification
Sculpture
Department
CSD
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Accession Number
1957.14.609.b
Art Historical Context
Crafted by the masterful Italian artist Pisanello (Antonio di Puccio Pisano in 1447, *Innocence and Unicorn a Moonlit Landscape* the reverse side of a medallion, measuring just 8.66 cm diameter and weighing nearly half a pound. Pisanello, a pioneer of the Renaissance medal, drew inspiration from ancient Roman coins elevating these small-scale sculptures into intricate works of art. This piece exemplifies his exquisite detail in capturing naturalistic landscapes and mythical figures, blending Gothic elegance with emerging Renaissance realism. The scene depicts a serene moonlit landscape where ...
About the Artist
Pisanello
Antonio di Puccio Pisano, known as Pisanello (c. 1395–1455), was a pioneering Italian painter, draftsman, and medalist born in Pisa, though he spent his early years near Verona. His early training occurred in Verona under local painters, possibly Stefano da Verona or Altichiero, fostering a style rooted in Veronese traditions. Between 1415 and 1420, he served as assistant to Gentile da Fabriano, a...