Rijksmuseum

Album Sheet with Two Armadillos

Date

c. 1550 - c. 1570

Medium

paper, ink

Institution

Rijksmuseum

Armadillos are found in South America and are recognizable by their ‘armor’, or shell, consisting of ossified dermal plates. The unknown artist responsible for this sheet drew two species of the creature: a ninebanded, and a three-banded armadillo. Because of its unusual appearance, in the course of the 16th century the armadillo became the symbol of the newly discovered America. It was often depicted on prints and maps, and dried specimens were collected in cabinets of curiosities.

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