Artwork preview

Design for a Window (Hunting Scene)

Christoph Murer

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a heraldic coat of arms. The central focus of the image is an ornate coat of arms featuring a shield with two crossed objects, possibly maces or batons, with feathered ends. Surrounding the shield is intricate scrollwork and a decorative mantling. The scene is framed by three large arches in the upper part of the composition, adorned with foliage and various creatures. Above the arches, a narrative scene unfolds in the distance with figures engaged in activity amidst trees and a distant cityscape. Flanking both sides of the shield are human figures and animals, including deer. The detailed linework and classic composition evoke a rich tradition of heraldry.

Artwork Details

Date
1579
Medium
pen and black ink with touches of gray wash on laid paper
Dimensions
3332 × 4422 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original