Fresco, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
Mythical creatures with the body of a bird, goatn's hoofs and a human head, early 13th century, Romanesque, by unknown Castilian artist, fresco transferred to canvas, detail from a frieze in the hall of the Benedictine abbey of San Pedro de Arlanza in Burgos, in the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, in the Palau Nacional on Montjuic Hill, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The creatures represent bird sirens, ancient Greek symbols of shelter and protection, reminding us of temptations of the senses, deceit and the dangers of vice and falsehood. Picture by Manuel Cohen
Picture No
14117254
Media ID
45845054
Size
8201px x 3543px
(11.1MB)
Credit
Manuel Cohen / Mary Evans Picture Library
Source
Photograph by Manuel Cohen
Date
2009
