Plate 3: A Walrus, a Nine-Legged Octopus, and Ocean Sunfish, c. 1575/1580

Not on View

series Title

Animalia Aqvatilia et Cochiliata (Aqva)

Medium

watercolor and gouache, with oval border in gold, on vellum

Dimensions

page size (approximate): 14.3 x 18.4 cm (5 5/8 x 7 1/4 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Mrs. Lessing J. Rosenwald

Accession Number

1987.20.7.4

Artists / Makers

Joris Hoefnagel (artist) Flemish, 1542 - 1600

Image Use

This image is in the public domain.
Read our full Open Access policy for images .

Inscription

upper center in brown ink (gold?): BIS SEPTEM PLAGIS POLYPVS CO[N]TVSVS. (“An octopus crushed with fourteen blows.” Erasmus, _Adages_, 2.5.99) (trans. Bass 2019, 216); creatures in image numbered .1., .2., .3., and .4. in red ink; center right in (gold?): III.; lower center in red ink: POLYPI MENS. (“The mind of the polyp.” Erasmus, _Adages_, 1.193) (trans. Bass 2019, 216)
Facing page: upper center in black ink: Tu confirmasti in virtute tua mare: Contribulasti / Capita DRACONVM in aquis ps 76: (“You by your strength did make the sea firm: you did crush the heads of the dragons in the waters.” Psalms 73:13) (Latin Vulgate Bible); lower center in black ink: Omne solum forti patria est ut piscibus aequor: / Vt volucri nitido, quicquid in orbe patet. (“Every land is to the brave their country, as to fish the sea, as to the bird whatever place stands open in the void world.” Ovid, _Fasti_, 1.493-94) (trans. Bass 2019, 217)