Plate 58: Asps and Vipers, c. 1575/1580

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series Title

Animalia Qvadrvpedia et Reptilia (Terra)

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

1987.20.6.59

Artists / Makers

Joris Hoefnagel (artist) Flemish, 1542 - 1600

Image Use

This image is in the public domain.
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Inscription

upper center in red ink: Non semper tollunt, ad vulnera colla CERASTAE; upper center in (gold?): ASPIS, A VIPERA CONSILIV[M] CAPIT.; center right in brown ink: LVIII; animals in image numbered .1., .2., .3., .4., 5., and .6., in red ink; lower center in black/violet: Quasi a facie serpentis fuge Peccata, Dentes leonis, dentes eius / Interficientes animas hominum.Ecc[us].21. (“Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: the teeth are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of man.” Ecclesiasticus 21: 2 and 3) (Latin Vulgate Bible)
Facing page: upper center in brown ink: Qui legitis flores et humi nascentia fragra: / Frigidus, o pueri, fugite hinc latet Anguis in herba.; lower center in brown ink: Parva necat morsu spatiosum Vipera Taurum / A cane non magno saepe tenetur Aper.