Natives of Egypt sacrificing dragons

Details

Jan van der Straat, called Stradanus (1523-1605)
Natives of Egypt sacrificing dragons
A partly obscured inscription in brown ink in Stradanus' hand on the verso
black chalk, pen and brown ink, brown and green wash heightened with white
174 x 266mm.

Provenance

Sir John Witt (L.646a)

Exhibited

London, Courtauld Institute Galleries, The John Witt Collection, 1963, no. 14.

Engraved

In reverse by Johanned Collaert and published by Ph. Galle circa 1582 as part of the expanded Venationes series of prints.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The inscription in doggerel Latin beneath the print is of little help in explaining the subject. The dragons are believed to emit flames, and their crested heads show gems. They are seen asleep on the ground with their limbs stretched out.

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