Shield with a Swan, Held by a Seated Lady n.d.

"Shield with a Swan, Held by a Seated Lady" is an engraving by German artist Martin Schongauer. Created sometime during his prolific career (1435-1491), the artwork depicts a seated female figure holding a shield with a swan. Schongauer’s masterful use of detail and light is evident in the intricate folds of the woman’s drapery and the delicate rendering of the swan’s feathers. The engraving’s small scale and circular format suggests it was likely intended as a personal devotional piece. The piece is currently held in the Art Institute of Chicago.