Print c. 17th century

This is a print by Francis Barlow, its date currently unspecified, rendered in ink on paper. Immediately, one notices the symmetry of the composition. Two mythical creatures, a dragon and a griffin, stand flanking an oval frame filled with text, giving the work a heraldic quality. The texture created by the fine, deliberate lines, suggests meticulous detail. This precision invites a deeper consideration of the period’s understanding of natural history, and how these might intersect with symbolic representation. The artist’s process—etching—becomes part of the artwork’s meaning, each line bearing the weight of intentionality. Consider the structured opposition: the dragon and griffin, heraldic emblems of power, balanced either side of the frame, question established meanings of nature, culture, and representation. This print invites us to consider not just what is depicted, but how its structure and formal qualities work to convey meaning.