Allegory: Combat of Animals in the Presence of Man with Shield

"Allegory: Combat of Animals in the Presence of Man with Shield," created between 1515 and 1520, is a historically significant engraving by the Master of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist (Italian, active c. 1500-1525). This exceptional piece of graphic art is recognized as a reproduction or interpretation of a now-lost preparatory drawing by the pivotal High Renaissance master, Leonardo da Vinci.

The work is an engraving executed in black ink upon ivory laid paper, a medium which flourished in Italy during the early 16th century as a means of circulating complex artistic ideas. The Baptist demonstrates high technical proficiency, utilizing precise linear work and cross-hatching to define the frantic textures and dramatic interplay of light and shadow within the composition.

The subject matter is steeped in allegorical meaning, capturing a chaotic battle of animals, ranging from lions and serpents to horses, all locked in violent struggle. The entire scene is observed by a static, monumental human figure who stands impassively in the foreground, holding a large, prominent shield. While the precise symbolism of this human observer in relation to the animal combat remains a topic of scholarly discussion, the juxtaposition of savage natural warfare against the seemingly detached human intellect offers a profound commentary on virtue, vice, or the nature of conflict.

This detailed print exemplifies the crucial role that reproductive prints played in disseminating the designs of major figures like Leonardo da Vinci across Europe. The Baptist ensured the endurance of the master's original concept through the longevity of the copperplate medium. This influential work, which frequently enters the public domain allowing for broad study, is held within the celebrated print collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.