worlds within worlds

bodleianlibs:

This GIF isn’t even an exaggeration.

It depicts a giant whale, 17 feet high and 28 feet long, ridden by Oceanus. It spouts water onto the crowd through two tubes concealed in its head. 

The Whale is hung with painted cloths so it appears to be gliding through the sea, but it’s actually a Float. The cloth conceals 16 porters underneath who carry the whole thing. The leading porters look out through the fish’s masks in front of the Whale. It was used in a parade in Antwerp.

You can view the original illustration on our catalogue!