Unicorn: The Mythical Beast in Art

Unicorn: The Mythical Beast in Art is a richly illustrated exhibition catalog dedicated to one of the most enduring and enigmatic creatures in the history of Western art. Published in conjunction with the exhibition at the Museum Barberini in Potsdam, the book examines how the unicorn evolved from an ancient mythical being into a powerful artistic and symbolic motif across centuries.

Bringing together contributions from leading art historians and curators, the catalog traces the unicorn’s visual presence from medieval manuscripts and tapestries through Renaissance and early modern art, and into later artistic interpretations. Far from a decorative fantasy, the unicorn emerges here as a complex symbol associated with purity, desire, power, faith, and imagination.

Published by Prestel, this substantial volume combines scholarly essays with high-quality reproductions of paintings, drawings, prints, and decorative arts. The catalog functions not only as a companion to the exhibition, but also as an independent reference work for readers interested in iconography, myth, and the visual culture of the fantastic.

Both visually captivating and intellectually rigorous, Unicorn: The Mythical Beast in Art offers a rare opportunity to reconsider a familiar myth through the lens of art history, where symbolism, belief, and artistic invention collide.