Beached Sperm Whale at Noordwijk, 28 December 1614

After Esaias van de Velde Dutch
 ? Claes Jansz. Visscher Dutch
 Published by Claes Jansz. Visscher Dutch

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 690

The whale pictured here was washed ashore following a storm along the coast of Holland in late December 1614. It had already been dead for several weeks. A man perched on top of the whale takes its measurements, which are given in the margin below. This print is a second version of an etching by Esaias van de Velde, a testament to the popularity and fascination with this event, which was depicted in print and painting several times.

Beached Sperm Whale at Noordwijk, 28 December 1614, After Esaias van de Velde (Dutch, Amsterdam 1587–1630 The Hague), Etching

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