A warrior, flanked by seated, reading scholars
Engraving, with a pear-shaped ornamental design with scrolling motifs and grotesque figures on black grounds, likely created by Étienne Delaune before 1573. The print consists of a warrior, in the center, wearing a helmet, cape and cuirasse, standing on a strapwork stand, between two rods with serpents scrolling around them, and under a small arch, on which stand two small vases with pairs of leaves. On his sides, are two reading scholars, sitting on scrolling motifs, and holding an open book on one hand and a flaming torch on the other. Behind them are two urns, emanating scrolls of smoke, and under them are two rabbits. The warrior represented in the print might be Apollo, the warrior god, also guardian of the arts and sciences, and thus protector of knowledge. Knowledge is evoked by several of the motifs in the print, including the scholars, but also the flaming torches and fuming urns, both alluding to the dissipation of darkness (ignorance) provided by knowledge. The rabbits might represent, in this case, the abundance brought about knowledge.
Artwork Details
- Title: A warrior, flanked by seated, reading scholars
- Artist: Etienne Delaune (French, Orléans 1518/19–1583 Strasbourg)
- Date: before 1573
- Medium: Engraving
- Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed): 1 3/8 × 1 7/16 in. (3.5 × 3.6 cm)
- Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1955
- Object Number: 55.660.11
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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