Plate 47: A Hare, "Jackalope," a Rabbit, and a Spotted Squirrel

Joris Hoefnagel

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of four rabbit-like animals within an oval outline. In the center is an animal that looks like a pale brown rabbit but has small antlers growing in front of its ears. This animal faces the right, towards a golden-brown rabbit that faces the antlered creature. On the far left is a darker brown animal that has a smaller head than the rabbit and slightly longer ears. It is turned slightly to the right. These three animals all sit on a curved, narrow piece of green earth with intricate root systems extending from its underside. Above these three, towards the top right, is a smaller creature that stands on what may be a brown root or branch, its front legs extended outward as if in mid-leap. This animal is smaller than the others and has a long bushy tail. Its fur is white and reddish-brown. The background of the painting is beige paper. Outside of the oval surrounding the painting are some lines of Latin text above, below, and to the right.