Etching and engraving
Attributed to Simon Frisius

20.3 x 12.2 cm

Transcription of Inscription:

ABRAHAMUS BLOEMAERT, BATAV, PICT. 
Pictor naturâ est, usus vix ille magistro :
   Arte hic egregiis nec tamen inferior.
Pinxit Aves, Naves, Homines, Herbásque Ferásque,
   Et laetos Flores FLORIDUS innumeros.

Translation of Inscription:

Abraham Bloemaert the Dutchman, Painter

He was a painter by nature: having hardly used a master, he¹was yet not inferior to those outstanding in skill.  He painted birds, ships, men, and grass and wild beasts, and, being Florid,² countless joyful flowers. 

Orenstein 1996, Frisius no. 139; Hollstein 2008 no.159
 Karel Van Mander’s biography of Abraham Bloemaert
 Grove Art Online biography

1. I have translated both “ille in line 1 and “hic” in line 2 as “he”, as they clearly both refer to Bloemaert.  But the use of both pronouns so close together to indicate the same person makes the Latin awkward and confusing.
2. This is a pun on Bloemaert’s name.