Public domain
Album Sheet with Two Armadillos
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
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.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionSubjects
Credit lineAlbum Sheet with Two Armadillos. c. 1550 - c. 1570. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
