12463 Johannes Stradanus (1523–1605) – Elephants Rescuing a Companion from a Pit – Engraving (1578)
"Hunc servant morem Naturae instinctu Elephantes". This late sixteenth-century engraving illustrates a narrative of animal cooperation and intelligence as perceived during the Renaissance. The composition depicts a group of elephants working together to rescue a member of their herd that has fallen into a deep pit or trap. The elephants are shown using their trunks and tusks to throw branches, rocks, and earth into the hole to create a ramp or platform for the trapped animal to climb out. Set within an exotic tropical landscape of palm trees, the scene emphasizes the "natural instinct" for mutual aid attributed to these creatures by early naturalists. This plate is part of the extensive Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium series, published in Antwerp by Philip Galle.
Johannes Stradanus, born Jan van der Straet, was a Flemish artist who spent most of his career in Florence working for the Medici family. He was a versatile designer of tapestries, frescoes, and prints, known for his ability to synthesize Northern European detail with Italian Mannerist style. His most enduring legacy is the Venationes series, for which he provided the original drawings that were subsequently engraved by the skilled members of the Collaert and Galle workshops. Stradanus’s work was instrumental in popularizing natural history and sporting subjects across Europe during the Renaissance.
Artist or Maker: Jan Collaert II (Engraver); Johannes Stradanus (Artist).
Dimensions: Approximately 26 cm x 31 cm.
Medium: Engraving.
Date: 1578.
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.
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