Description
This curious allegory of Christ shows him in a wood surrounded by a wide variety of creatures embodying his virtues and the vices of his enemies. At his feet appear his foes—as a lion, bear, dog, fox, wolf and unicorn—while his intrinsic goodness causes an elephant, lamb, dove, pelican, eagle and owl, among other birds to emerge from behind his halo.
The Virtues of Christ and the Wickedness of His Enemies Symbolized by Diverse Birds and Beasts (verso); The Last Supper (recto), pages 66 and 65 from the Treasury (Schatzbehalter)
1491
Accession Number
23397
Medium
Woodcut on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Image/block, verso: 25.3 × 17.7 cm (10 × 7 in.); Sheet: 25.9 × 18.1 cm (10 1/4 × 7 3/16 in.)
Classification
woodcut
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr.
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