Putti and Lions
1537
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
sheet: 4 3/4 x 8 9/16 in. (12 x 21.7 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Anne and Carl Stern Gift, 1959
Accession Number
59.642.84
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created in 1537 by the artist known only as Master FG, *Putti and Lions* is a delicate engraving that captures the playful yet powerful imagery popular during the Renaissance. The small sheet, measuring just 4 3/4 by 8 9/16 inches, features cherubic putti alongside majestic lions and birds, creating a lively scene that blends innocence with the wild forces of nature. Such compositions often drew from classical mythology or allegorical themes, inviting viewers to reflect on harmony between humanity and the animal world. Engraving was a groundbreaking medium in the sixteenth century, allowing a...