Master F.V.B. (Netherlandish, active 1475-1500)
after Martin Schongauer (German, c. 1430/50-1491)
Ornament with Owl Mocked by Day Birds
INV-5669
Master F.V.B. (Netherlandish, active 1475-1500)
after Martin Schongauer (German, c. 1430/50-1491)c. 1480
Ornament with Owl Mocked by Day Birds
Master F.V.B. (Netherlandish, active 1475-1500) after Martin Schongauer (German, c. 1430/50-1491) →engravingprint
Date
c. 1480
Medium
Engraving on cream laid paper
Dimensions
Image/plate: 14.9 × 9.8 cm (5 7/8 × 3 7/8 in.); Sheet: 14.2 × 10 cm (5 5/8 × 3 15/16 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Bequest of Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr.
The Netherlandish artist Master F. V. B. produced a close copy of Martin Schongauer’s print that appears in reverse as a result of the printing process. The subject was also known as a “bird concert” and continued to be popular for centuries. It consisted of diurnal birds making raucous fun of the helplessness of a nocturnal owl, which had been unwittingly stranded during the day. This particular owl seems to be slightly less blinded by the sun than others. He has secured some prey, and holds the small bird prisoner in his beak.