Plate 35: the arch of the mint: the front face; an arch surmounted by a tree growing atop the boulders of mount potosí; at the centre is a large portal framed at the sides by bearded terms attached to piers and flanked by the river gods peruvius and rio de la plata; two coats of arms above these figures give rise to two free-standing composite columns (the pillars of hercules), guarded by lions at the base and crowned by the sun and moon; enthroned in the niche above the centre opening is moneta, holding a cornucopia in one hand, and in the other scales, a caduceus and a purse; above moneta is a medallion with the profile likeness of king philip iv; strung at either side are festoons of coins; a rabbit appears amongst boulders at left; at the summit of the mountain a painted cut out represents jason reaching for the golden fleece from the tree, at the base of which the dragon lies asleep; in the branches sit two parrots and below hangs a scroll with the motto 'pretium non vile laborum'; opposite jason is the figure of felicitas, carrying a ship and raising her veil like a sail in the wind; after peter paul rubens; illustration for gaspar gevaerts' "pompa introitus" (antwerp, 1641)
etching. Date: 1635-1641 (c.). Dimensions: Height: 475 mm (plate-mark); Height: 649 mm (sheet); Width: 305 mm; Width: 543 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Gaspar Gevaerts. Collection: British Museum. Arcus Monetalis Pars Anterior (BM 1884,0112.66)
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