Dolphin and Whale
1600-1625. Rotterdam. Gift of Anthony N. B. Garvan The arrival of these unusual creatures on the Dutch North Sea coast was interpreted as a sign from the heavens. [cat. # 185, p. 147]
“Fantastic sea monsters, mythological creatures, and exotic fish all appear on Dutch tiles, inspired by the seafaring culture of the region. Dutch naval power rose rapidly in the late 1500s and the Netherlands dominated global commerce during the 1600s.”
Sea Creatures
1650-1700. From the left: merman; man with javelin standing on a scallop shell; cupid riding a hippocampus; leaping centaur; merman fighting with swords; Neptune riding the waves; mermaid with child; cupid riding a hippocampus; merman. Gift of Mrs. Francis P. Garvan [cat. # 193, p. 150]
Merman and Venus
1650-1700. Gift of Mrs. Francis P. Garvan At left: merman holds a small animal aloft. Neptune supports a nude Venus on his fishtail while stroking her leg. [cat. # 191, p. 149]
Dolphin and Whale
1600-1625. Rotterdam. Gift of Anthony N. B. Garvan The arrival of these unusual creatures on the Dutch North Sea coast was interpreted as a sign from the heavens. [cat. # 185, p. 147]
Sea Creatures
1600-1625. Rotterdam. Gift of Anthony N. B. Garvan [cat. # 182, p. 146]
Sea Creatures
1650-1700. Gift of Anthony N. B. Garvan From left: merman with harpoon, hippocampus, dolphin, man riding a dolphin holding a flaming torch. [cat. # 195, p. 151]
Merman and Mermaid
1650-1700. Gift of Anthony N. B. Garvan A crowned Europa is being carried off by a fishtailed bull, a somewhat fantastical animal. [cat. # 194, p. 151]
Arion and Triton
1600-1625. Rotterdam. Gift of Anthony N. B. Garvan Arion, a mythical poet, having been thrown overboard by murderous mariners, is rescued by a blue dolphin, whom he had charmed with his lyre and sweet voice. Triton blows on the tail of green serpent as if it were a horn, and in response a cloud of blue smoke issues from the serpent’s mouth. [cat. # 183, 175, 184, pp. 140, 146, 147]
Fish
1650-1700. Gift of Anthony N. B. Garvan A dolphin, swordfish and whale are joined by a fantastical fish-tailed Walrus. [cat. # 190, p. 149]