Two Genii

Hans Sebald Beham

Cleveland Museum of Art

The rectangular image depicts two cherubs with wings, one on the left and one on the right. The cherubs are nude and have curly hair. The cherub on the left touches the head of a goat-like creature with curved horns; the creature faces right. The cherub on the right touches the head of a similar goat-like creature with curved horns; this creature faces left. The creatures have long hair and bodies similar to a goat; they have wings similar to an eagle or a bird. The goat-like creatures are connected to a central vertical element, symmetrical around an oval shape. An element resembling an acanthus leaf borders the top and bottom; the border has curling ends on either side of the image. The background is a gradient from dark to light; a small rectangle near the top-center reads "1544" on the top line and "HSB" on the bottom line.