Vignette, The Pelican in the Crown of Thorns
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Alice Donlevy
Accession Number
1907-7-12-b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Discover the intricate vignette *The Pelican in the Crown Thorns* by Jakob Frey, a Swiss artist active in Italy (1681–1752). Created around 1715, this print captures a poignant moment of Christian iconography during the Baroque era, when religious imagery flourished in European art. Frey, known for his detailed engravings, likely produced this as a small, ornamental design—vignettes were popular for book illustrations, title pages, and devotional works, making sacred symbols accessible to a wide audience. At its heart, the image features the pelican, a profound emblem in Christian tradition s...