Sujet
Guardian Griffin (pair), 1150-1175. Creator: Unknown.
Légende
Guardian Griffin (pair), 1150-1175. Griffins are fabled creatures that have the characteristics of an eagle and a lion--combining watchfulness and courage. In Christian art, the dual nature of the griffin was often used to signify that of Christ himself: divine (bird) and human (animal). Griffins were often used as guardian figures in church sculpture and were placed in portals and choir screens. The creatures seen here, with their inward-turning heads, were certainly used for such a purpose. When viewed from the front, one griffin may be seen protecting the figure of a knight between its paws, while the other griffin guards a calf. Their original function was probably to support the columns of a porch in front of a church doorway.
Crédit
Photo12/Heritage Images/Heritage Art
Notre référence
HRM19F84_353
Model release
NA
Property release
NA
Licence
Droits gérés
Format disponible
67,6Mo (5,1Mo) / 47,7cm x 35,5cm / 5631 x 4198 (300dpi)