Jan Saenredam: Beached whale at Beverwijk (1602)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

An engraving by the Dutch artist Jan Saenredam (1565-1607). This print shows a sperm whale which stranded an the beach near the town of Beverwijk on 13 January 1601. A large crowd has gathered to view the 'sea-monster'. Among the crowd are several scientists who are examining and measuring the whale and count Ernst Casimir I of Nassau-Dietz (1573-1632). Engraving from 1602.