Ornament with Owl Mocked by Day Birds
c. 1480
Medium
Engraving on cream laid paper
Dimensions
Image/plate: 14.9 × 9.8 cm (5 7/8 × 3 7/8 in.); Sheet: 14.2 × 10 cm (5 5/8 × 3 15/16 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
56691
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The Netherlandish artist Master F. V. B. produced a close copy of Martin Schongauer’s print that appears in reverse as a result of the printing process. The subject was also known as a “bird concert” and continued to be popular for centuries. It consisted of diurnal birds making raucous fun of the helplessness of a nocturnal owl, which had been unwittingly stranded during the day. This particular owl seems to be slightly less blinded by the sun than others. He has secured some prey, and holds th...