Plate 41: Two Types of Armadillos with a Marmoset, a Coconut Palm, and a Pepper Plant c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel rendered this watercolor around the turn of the 17th century, portraying armadillos, a marmoset, and various flora of the New World. Here, the armadillo, an armored creature, takes center stage. Its shell echoes the motif of protection, a symbol deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. Throughout history, we see similar imagery – from the scaled armor of ancient warriors to the protective carapaces of mythical beasts. Consider the dragon, whose impenetrable scales not only symbolize invincibility but also guard hidden treasures. The armadillo, in its own way, embodies this duality: protection and the hidden self. The impulse to shield oneself, both physically and psychologically, is a recurring theme in human experience. The armadillo, therefore, transcends its zoological reality, tapping into our primal understanding of vulnerability and resilience, echoing through the corridors of time.