Bilder Johannes Stradanus (1523–1605) – View of the Capture of a Whale at Ostia – Engraving (1596)

Beskrivning

"Ostia in extremum littus prolabitur Orca" This scene illustrates a historical event where a large whale, identified as an orca, became stranded or trapped at the port of Ostia, leading to a public spectacle where it was attacked by soldiers and sailors in boats. The foreground shows a crowd of spectators watching the event near a statue and harbor structures. The technical nature is a copper engraving. It was published in the series Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium (Hunts of Wild Animals, Birds, and Fish), which was printed by Philips Galle in Antwerp. This series documented a wide array of hunting and fishing activities, combining historical accounts with Renaissance observations of the natural world.

Jan van der Straet, also known as Stradanus, was a Flemish artist who spent much of his career in Florence under the patronage of the Medici family. He was a prolific designer of tapestries and prints, often collaborating with the premier engravers and publishers of the Low Countries to disseminate his work. His style combined Northern European attention to detail with the Mannerist influences of the Italian Renaissance. Stradanus is particularly noted for his dynamic compositions and his fascination with technology, discovery, and the natural world.

Artist or Maker: Jan van der Straet (Stradanus).

Dimensions: Approximately 31 cm x 25 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1596.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.