Unnamed (Navita Erythraeum pavidus qui navigat aequor...)

This engraving is the final one in Venationes Ferarum, Avium, Piscium.

Pugnae Bestiariorum (Hunting of wild animals, birds, and fishes.

Battles of the Beasts) first published in 1578 by Philip Galle.

It is after a drawing (ca. 1575) by Jan van der Straet (Stradanus) for his series of 104 hunting-themedillustrations.

The plate is numbered 104 in the lower-left corner (refer to entry #~336 ~for its final state of 1817).

The scene depicts a Portuguese carrack navigating the Indian Ocean, employing the sound of clanging bells to ward off a remarkable array of sea monsters.

A transcription and translation of the accompanying text reads "Navita Erythraeum pavidus qui navigat aequor/In prorae et puppis summo resonantia pendet/Tintinnabula: eo sonitu praegrandia Cete,/Balenas, et monstra marina a navibus arcet". (The fearful sailor who navigates the Indian Ocean,/Above the prow and stern hangs ringing Bells:/the sound for warding off attacks on ships/by huge whales and the monsters of the sea).