Bestiary of John of Austria Facsimile Edition

The Bestiary of John of Austria is a compendium of descriptions in Spanish and lively illustrations of marvels compiled by Martín de Villaverde (Villaxida). It treats creatures of the sea, air, and land; fantastic creatures; human anatomy; and the gardens of the Alcázar in Toledo. A section on geography has been lost. The manuscript was created for John of Austria in 1570-1571. There are three separate dedications to John (fols. 2r-v, 94v-96v, and 150v-154r). The book's 360 illustrations vividly portray its various and often marvelous subjects.

The manuscript opens with the arms of John of Austria (1547-1578), for whom Villaverde wrote the text and, presumably, created the manuscript (fol. 1r). It is probably Villaverde who is depicted in the mutilated portrait at the book's opening (fol. 1v).

Abundant Beasts of the Sea

More than a hundred sea creatures—including rays, crustaceans, dolphins, and starfish–are described and depicted individually, usually with a drawing at the top of the page followed by a description. Still more fishes—many with expressive human-like faces—appear in ensembles in full-page miniatures, with little or no explanation (fols. 45r-53v and 84r-88r).

Daedalus and the Birds

Daedalus, the character from ancient Greek myth who fashioned wings so that he and his son could escape from Crete to Sicily, is pictured at the head of the section on birds (fol. 93v). The historical Greek athlete Milon of Croton is also pictured: four birds attack him when he gets his hands caught in a tree (fol. 96v). Included here are real and fantastic birds, as well as insects, a spider, a griffon, and a satyr.

Focus on Hunting Dogs

The treatment of land animals opens with a section on hunting dogs (fols. 158r-164r). The greyhound is pictured with a fancy collar, and the mastiff is shown curled up and sleeping (fols. 158r and 159v).

All the book's illustrations are pen drawings with light washes of color. It is certainly possible that Martín de Villaverde was the book's scribe and illuminator. The text is written in a large early modern Italic.

Picturing a Palace

The city of Toledo and its fortified royal palace, known as the Alcázar, are pictured in a pair of facing full-page illustrations (fols. 92v-93r). These close a short section of the book that describes and pictures the palace's gardens, including its many fountains (fols. 88v-92r).

An illustrious Dedicatee

John of Austria was an illegitimate son of Charles V (1500-1558), Holy Roman Emperor. He distinguished himself in war, diplomacy, and government. He subdued the Morisco rebellion in Granada and defeated the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto. The manuscript's current binding dates from 1992.