Plate 57: A Snake, a Fire Salamander, and a Snakelike Creature with Two Legs, 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

1987.20.6.58

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 black ink: Sqammeus exuitur stellate tegmine serpens / Pelle renascente, rursus redeunte Iuventa / Reptat [hians?] anguis, per sibila guttura pandens:; upper center in red ink: FRIGIDVS IN PRATIS, CANTANDO RVMPITVR ANGVIS.; center right in (gold?): LVII.; animals in image numbered .1., .2., and .3., in red ink; lower center in black ink: COLVBRVM IN SINV NE FOVETO. / Qui fodit foveam Incidet In eam: et qui dissipat sepem mordebit eum Coluber.Ecc[es]:10: (“He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.” Ecclesiastes 10:8) (Latin Vulgate Bible)
Facing page: upper center in brown ink: Fit draco Cinyphius, Colubrum, si devoret Anguis. / Fortuna crescit, visq[ue] minoris opum.; in red ink: A: Steck.Can[ebat]. (Stockelius?); lower center in brown ink: Anguibus exuitur, tenui cum pelle vetustas. / Cur nos angusta conditione sumus?