Ornament with Owl Mocked by Day Birds

1470–1491

Not on view

Martin Schongauer concealed a sinister narrative within this lively pattern of Gothic leaves. Six birds tucked throughout the ornament caw in derision at an owl, which carries a small bird in its beak. During the late fifteenth century in northern Europe, the carnivorous owl was often associated with negative concepts, such as sin and greed.

Artwork Details

Overview

Exhibition History

Catalogue Raisonné

Title: Ornament with Owl Mocked by Day Birds
Artist: Martin Schongauer (German, Colmar ca. 1435/50–1491 Breisach)
Date: 1470–1491
Medium: Engraving
Dimensions: Sheet: 5 13/16 × 4 3/16 in. (14.8 × 10.6 cm)
Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1937
Object Number: 37.3.8
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Martin Schongauer

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Virgin and Child with an Apple, Martin Schongauer German, Engraving — Virgin and Child with an Apple
Martin Schongauer
ca. 1475

The Baptism of Christ from a set of The Passion, Martin Schongauer (The Baptism of Christ) German, Wool, silk, metal thread (20 warp threads per inch, 8 per cm.), German, Alsace, possibly Strasbourg — The Baptism of Christ from a set of The Passion
Multiple artists/makers
1595

St. Andrew, Martin Schongauer German, Engraving — St. Andrew
Martin Schongauer
1470–91

Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Martin Schongauer German, Engraving — Rest on the Flight into Egypt
Martin Schongauer
ca. 1470–1474

The Eagle of Saint John, Martin Schongauer German, Engraving — The Eagle of Saint John
Martin Schongauer
1470–1491

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.