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Albrecht Dürer

The Abduction of Proserpine on a Unicorn

1516
Etching in black on off-white laid paper
31.4 × 21.2 cm (12.4 × 8.3 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This is one of only six experiments by Dürer in the early art of etching and, reflecting the roots of that technique in armor decoration, is made on an uncompromising iron (rather than copper) plate. The composition, with its insistent linear background competing with the calligraphic freedom of the principal figures, represents Dürer's most mature printmaking style and his efforts to achieve an overall tonal unity.

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