Gryphon

Gryphon

Scheda

The gryphon it’s a legendary creature, in general pictured with wings, the body of a lion and the head of a bird. His figure derives from Greek art: the gryphon is the guardian of Apollo’s temple. It’s also represented on classical sarcophagi and tombs: in classical art it is used in funerary and decorative monuments represented while carrying a man on its back. In the Christian tradition, this animal shows the double nature of Christ, that is human and divine. In the funerary symbolism of the nineteenth century, the gryphon is particularly associated with decorative elements of clear classical inspiration, such as sarcophagi and candelabras.

Leggi tutto
Documenti