Innocence and Unicorn in a Moonlit Landscape [reverse]

Art Historical Context

Crafted by the masterful Italian artist Pisanello (Antonio di Puccio Pisano in 1447, *Innocence and Unicorn a Moonlit Landscape* the reverse side of a medallion, measuring just 8.66 cm diameter and weighing nearly half a pound. Pisanello, a pioneer of the Renaissance medal, drew inspiration from ancient Roman coins elevating these small-scale sculptures into intricate works of art. This piece exemplifies his exquisite detail in capturing naturalistic landscapes and mythical figures, blending Gothic elegance with emerging Renaissance realism. The scene depicts a serene moonlit landscape where Innocence—personified as a young woman—stands gracefully with a unicorn, a symbol of purity and chastity in medieval lore. The unicorn's gentle pose amid ethereal foliage and starry skies showcases Pisanello's innovative low-relief technique, which creates depth and atmosphere on the metal surface. Lead, an uncommon medium for finished medals (often reserved for trials or casts), highlights the experimental nature of 15th-century Italian workshops. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Samuel H. Kress Collection, this medallion reflects the era's fascination with allegory and humanism, bridging classical antiquity and the dawn of the Renaissance. Visitors will appreciate its tactile heft and poetic charm, a tiny portal to Pisanello's visionary world.

About the Artist

Pisanello · 1395–1455

Antonio di Puccio Pisano, known as Pisanello (c. 1395–1455), was a pioneering Italian painter, draftsman, and medalist born in Pisa, though he spent his early years near Verona. His early training occurred in Verona under local painters, possibly Stefano da Verona or Altichiero, fostering a style rooted in Veronese traditions. Between 1415 and 1420, he served as assistant to Gentile da Fabriano, a...