Collection

Long-Legged Bird, Possibly a Crane, c. A.D. 400

Roman


Animals dominate the imagery of fifth and sixth century Syrian church mosaics. When arranged freely across the floor, a vast assortment of animals could allude to a Christian Paradise or represent the great variety of creation. This schematized image of a long-legged bird might have been part of a paradisiacal menagerie, or may be a crane, a symbol of vigilance and loyalty in Christian art.

Provenance

Provenance

(Elie Borowski [1913-2003], Basel, Switzerland);

purchased by Kimbell Art Foundation, Fort Worth,1972.