Visboeck (Adriaen Coenen, 1577-1581)

A fisherman by trade, Adriaen Coenen created his beautifully illustrated 400 page Visboek (fish book) based on firsthand experience, factual information and fanciful sailors' lore. At fairs, he charged visitors two copper coins to see the book. I imagine him using the pictures to illuminate his tales of oceans and foreign lands, blurring reality and fantasy. Links to digitized book at the National Library of the Netherlands.