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The deceitful hunt of the unicorn by a virgin

On the left Tristan and Isolde meet clandestinely under a tree in the garden. They are secretly observed by king Marke, who has hidden in the tree top. But the lovers are cautioned by the reflection of the king's face in the fountain below the tree.

 

On the right a unicorn is allured by a virgin and puts his head peacefully in her lap. Under these circumstances, the hunter can easily kill the normally indomitable unicorn. (This is an illustration of the tale of the "Physiologus" on the unicorn.)

 

Baltimore, The Walters Art Gallery, medieval ivory casket

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Uploaded on February 26, 2009