Unknown Fish, Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt, 1596 - 1610
brush, h 149mm × w 180mm More details
While in Prague, De Boodt could study living animals from distant lands in Rudolf II’s menagerie (zoo) and had access to preserved specimens in the emperor’s Kunstkammer (Cabinet of Curiosities). He also drew some animals after existing illustrations, such as prints. The specific example used for this fish is unclear and may contribute to the inability to identify the species. According to the Latin inscription, it is a ‘Flemish wolf,’ possibly an old nickname for the (predatory) fish.
