De griffioen 1500 - 1550

"De griffioen" is a 16th-century anonymous woodcut depicting a griffon, a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. This intricate print, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, showcases the artist's mastery of detail, capturing the griffon's fierce expression, powerful physique, and feathered wings with incredible precision. The small size of the artwork, measuring just 80 mm by 87 mm, underscores its delicate nature and intimate scale. This artwork is a testament to the enduring fascination with mythical creatures during the Renaissance period, a time when artists and scholars alike were captivated by the world of fantasy and symbolism.