Johann Baptiste HOMANN The Crocodile HISTORIA ANIMANTIUM MARINORUM Miconographia et quidem ejus repraesentatio tertia in qua CROCODILUS ob oculos ponitur. Prostat in Pfficina Homanniana A copper plate engraving with original hand colour published by Homann in Germany in 1753. This magnificent depiction of a crocodile constitutes one of the earliest and most decorative representations of the species to be found in print. The main crocodile illustrated is so bold and vigorous that it cannot be contained by the print’s borders thereby rendering it both menacing and animated. Additional supplementary illustrations show the crocodile hatching from its egg and a small American Lizard looking fearfully backwards into the open jaws of the advancing beast. Crocodiles were revered throughout ancient Egypt and are frequently depicted in hieroglyphic form on the walls of the tombs and temples of Thebes and other sites from antiquity. Perhaps the most famous depiction of all comes in the form of Sobek, the crocodile god, to whom the Egyptians prayed for protection from the many crocodiles that inhabited the River Nile. 19½ x 17¾". £1,800 |