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CHICAGO GARGOYLES, GROTESQUES, AND DRAGONS

An Architectural Survey of Fantasy Animals

AMAZON PRINT BOOK
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Download a PDF File of the Chicago Gargoyles, Grotesques, and Dragons Title and Complete Introduction
Download a PDF File of the Chicago Gargoyles, Grotesques, and Dragons Image Identifications and Comments
Download a PDF File of the Chicago Gargoyles, Grotesques, and Dragons Bibliography

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A fearless knight slays the dreaded dragon foe. Originating from medieval folklore, the heroic knight is blessed with a halo suggesting a degree of divine intervention. This spiky creature, showing claws and pointy teeth, appears to have met its match. Image c.1900. Deutscher Schulverein, Carte 800, Josef Eberle, Vien.


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A draconopede as depicted in the Hortus Sanitatis of 1491, Animalia XLIX. Image c.1900. British Museum of Natural History. Printed by Waterlow & Sons Limited, Series H39.


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Carved in limestone, this mother bird-creature perches lovingly above her nested young. Accurate images of exotic birds from faraway lands were not available to sculptors of the twelfth century, so imagination had to suffice. Chicago’s sculptors mimicked those of Europe and adopted forms from dreams and mythology. Image c.1900. Collection Notre-Dame, 4 series, 192 cartes, Cliches ND. Edition en noir et en bistre, E. Brian, 23, r. d’Arcole, Paris.


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A less stylized bird screeches over the city of Paris. Image c.1900. Collection Notre-Dame, 4 series, 192 cartes, Cliches ND. Edition en noir et en bistre, E. Brian, 23, r. d’Arcole, Paris.


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This bony beast atop Notre Dame Cathedral is prepared for a meal and is ready to avail itself upon any suspecting animal or man. Medieval folk saw this devil figure as a real threat to their very wellbeing; sanctuary was only found within the confines of the church below. Image c.1900. Collection Notre-Dame, 4 series, 192 cartes, Cliches ND. Edition en noir et en bistre, E. Brian, 23, r. d’Arcole, Paris.


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This architectural drawing of the partial façade of a Gothic church displays elegant proportioning complete with all the artistic trappings of that style. Most interesting are the figures to be included: What appears to be a wivern is placed in the spandrel between two arches, while little beasties scurry along the arches. Social and cultural traditions, religious expectations, and “architectural correctness” demand such carved inclusions despite their irrationality. These imagined creatures are potent symbols of stylistic continuity and medieval-based religious doctrine. Image: c.1890. “Gothic Arcade,” A Textbook on Architectural Drawing, Scranton, Pennsylvania: International Textbook Company, 1897.



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A young maiden keeps this forest-residing dragon at bay with a small crucifix. Despite having her torso and legs bound to a tree, she does seem to have a modicum of success, if only for a while. A castle looms in the background, but, alas, there is no knight in sight. Image c.1890.


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This hapless victim was waylaid by a harpy, a common fear among some European folk during the twelfth century. Image c.1900. Hortus Sanitatis of 1491, Aves LXI. British Museum of Natural History. Printed by Waterlow & Sons Limited, Series H37.


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This fearsome bird has captured a helpless little soon-to-be morsel while it surveys Paris from its perch atop Notre Dame Cathedral. Image c.1900. Anciens Etab. Neurdein et cie. – Imp. Crete, Succ. Corbeil-Paris. 52, Av. De Breteuil. – Paris.


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A frightful looking beast devours its prey while another creature scouts for a meal. These were carved from limestone sometime during the mid-thirteenth century and are located atop Notre Dame Cathedral. Image c.1900. Anciens Etab. Neurdein et cie. – Imp. Crete, Succ. Corbeil-Paris. 52, Av. De Breteuil. – Paris.


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This is no rooster announcing the crack of dawn. The feathered creatures poised upon the setbacks of Notre Dame Cathedral were not nice or cuddly. These were thought to originate from the nether regions, the products of magic and the devil. Image c.1900. Collection Notre-Dame, 4 series, 192 cartes, Cliches ND. Edition en noir et en bistre, E. Brian, 23, r. d’Arcole, Paris.


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