Mugger crocodile and a passing man 1662

This 1662 drawing by Dutch artist Esaias Boursse, "Mugger crocodile and a passing man," depicts a large crocodile in the foreground, its mouth agape, revealing sharp teeth. A small figure of a man walks by in the background, seemingly oblivious to the danger. Boursse's detailed rendering of the crocodile's scales and powerful form showcases the artist's keen observation and meticulous draftsmanship. The work likely reflects the growing European fascination with exotic fauna during the 17th century, with its subject matter likely drawn from a traveler's account or a specimen seen in a menagerie.