Ornament with Mask

Heinrich Aldegrever

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of various mythological creatures and figures intertwined in a decorative style. The imagery includes a central bearded face with an exaggerated expression surrounded by anthropomorphic figures and mythical creatures. Two large, mythical figures with long robes and head coverings flank the central face. Above the central face, there is a muscular figure with a wrapped headdress and a creature resembling a goat with a human body on the opposite side. The lower section of the image includes cherubic figures and detailed ornamentation featuring floral and scroll motifs. The entire piece is rendered with fine linework and showcases a high level of detail typical of engravings.