A detailed sixteenth-century Flemish engraving depicting the biblical story of Jonah, rendered with fine line work and contemporary hand-colouring.

This hand-coloured engraving depicts the biblical narrative of Jonah being cast overboard by sailors into the waiting jaws of a large sea creature. Hieronymus Wierix, a member of a prolific family of engravers based in Antwerp, demonstrates his technical precision through the fine lines and cross-hatching that define the turbulent water and the rigging of the ship. The composition is typical of late sixteenth-century Flemish printmaking, where narrative clarity is balanced with decorative elements, such as the carved elephant head on the ship's prow.

The scene captures the moment of high drama as Jonah is lowered into the waves. The sailors are rendered with expressive gestures, their clothing reflecting the period fashion of the Low Countries. The sea creature, depicted as a hybrid of fish and sea serpent, dominates the foreground, its open mouth ready to receive the prophet. The inclusion of Latin text at the base, alongside handwritten French commentary, suggests this print originated from a devotional book or a collection of biblical illustrations intended for study or contemplation.

Wierix was known for his ability to produce small-scale, highly detailed works that circulated widely across Europe. His prints were often used as models for other artists, influencing the visual language of religious art during the Counter-Reformation. The application of colour, likely added by a contemporary hand, softens the starkness of the original engraving, providing a sense of depth to the churning sea and the wooden structure of the vessel. This work provides a window into the intersection of print culture, religious education, and artistic craftsmanship in the late Renaissance period.