Etching
Signed ‘Hh. formis’ by Hendrick Hondius, attributed to Simon Frisius
21.2 x 12.5 cm

Transcription of Inscription:

GEORGIUS HOEFNAGLIUS PICT. ANTVERPIANUS 
Doctrinâ excultus se offert Hoefnaglius ille,
   Cosmographo docto fidus et Ortelio.
Hic Orbem, ille Urbes dedit Orbi ingente Theatro,
   Et pinxit flores brutá¹ que qui varia. 

Translation of Inscription:

Joris Hoefnagel, painter of Antwerp
This Hoefnagel, refined by learning, presents himself.  He was also trustworthy for the learned cosmographer Ortelius.  The latter gave the world, [and] the former cities to the world in a gigantic Theatre,² and painted flowers and various brute beasts.³

Orenstein 1996, Frisius no. 147; Hollstein 2008 no. 167

 Karel Van Mander’s biography of Joris Hoefnagel 
 Grove Art Online biography

1. Sic, although the syllable needs to be short.
2. Abraham Ortelius’ Theatrum orbis terrarum.
3. I have ignored the “qui” in the last line, as it makes for Latin too bad to be turned into comprehensible English.