Basilisk

Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt, 1596 - 1610

The albums also feature some imaginary creatures, such as a sea monster and a small dragon. The latter was probably a forgery made from a ray and kept in Rudolf II’s collection. This basilisk is a curious case: a lizard without forelegs. We do not know how De Boodt interpreted this animal. Is it a freak of nature, or a reference to a basilisk, a mythical snake-dragon?

  • Artwork typedrawing
  • Object numberRP-T-BR-2017-1-7-10
  • Dimensionsheight 133 mm x width 245 mm
  • Physical characteristicspenseel in waterverf in kleuren over potlood of zwart krijt, handschrift in pen in bruin