Wild Man Holding a Shield with a Greyhound

Martin Schongauer

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a wild, man-like figure holding a staff and leaning against a decorated shield. The figure is covered in dense foliage or fur, wears a crown of branches and leaves, and rests one hand on the shield. The shield features a depiction of a leaping creature resembling a hound. The scene is enclosed in a circular border with the initials "M+S" below the figure. The background consists of fine lines depicting rough terrain. The style suggests a symbolic or heraldic motif, typical of Renaissance art.