Hendrick Goltzius in the context of A. Hyatt Mayor

A bident is a two-pronged implement resembling a pitchfork. In Renaissance art, the bident is associated with the god Pluto.

In mythology, folklore and speculative fiction, shapeshifting is the ability to physically transform oneself through unnatural means. The idea of shapeshifting is found in the oldest forms of totemism and shamanism, as well as the oldest existent literature and epic poems such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad. The concept remains a common literary device in modern fantasy, children's literature and popular culture. Examples of shape-shifters include changelings, jinns, kitsunes, vampires, and werewolves, along with deities such as Loki and Vertumnus.

Giambologna (1529 – 13 August 1608), also known as Jean de Boulogne (French), Jehan Boulongne (Flemish) and Giovanni da Bologna (Italian), was the last significant Italian Renaissance sculptor, with a large workshop producing large and small works in bronze and marble in a late Mannerist style.

Philip (or Philips) Galle (1537 – March 1612) was a Dutch publisher, best known for publishing old master prints, which he also produced as designer and engraver. He is especially known for his reproductive engravings of paintings.

Publius Horatius Cocles was an officer in the army of the early Roman Republic who famously defended the Pons Sublicius from the invading army of Etruscan King Lars Porsena of Clusium in the late 6th century BC, during the war between Rome and Clusium. By defending the narrow end of the bridge, he and his companions were able to hold off the attacking army long enough to allow other Romans to destroy the bridge behind him, blocking the Etruscans' advance and saving the city.

Noah's Ark is a tempera painting by Theodore Poulakis. Poulakis was a Greek Baroque painter and teacher. He was a member of both the Late Cretan School and the Heptanese School. He is often regarded as the father of the Heptanese School. He was active from 1635 to 1692. By the age of 24, he was living in Venice. He stayed in the city for thirteen years. He was involved in local politics. He frequently traveled all over the Ionian Islands and settled in Corfu. He also regularly returned to Venice. Over 130 of his paintings have survived and can be found all over the world.

Greek painters followed the traditional maniera greca. Their art was heavily influenced by Venetian painting. Another important characteristic in Greek art during the Baroque and Rococo periods was the migration to engravings. Some painters used Italian, Dutch, and Flemish engravings as their inspiration. Some of the engravers were Cornelis Cort, Adriaen Collaert, Hieronymus Wierix, Jan Wierix, Hendrick Goltzius, and Francesco Villamena. Noah's Ark was influenced by an engraving of Jan Sadeler. Two other notable engravers from the same family were Raphael Sadeler I, and Aegidius Sadeler II.

Johannes Stradanus (Dutch Jan van der Straet or Italian Giovanni Stradano; 1523 – 2 November 1605) was a Flemish artist active mainly in 16th-century Florence, Italy. He was a wide-ranging talent who worked as an easel and fresco painter, designer of tapestries, draughtsman, designer of prints and pottery decorator. His subject range was varied and included history subjects, mythological scenes, allegories, landscapes, genre scenes, portraits, architectural scenes and animals. After training in his native Flanders, he left his home country and ultimately settled down in Florence, Italy. He became a prominent court artist to the Medici during the second half of the 16th century and worked on the many decorative projects of the court. Stradanus also produced large altarpieces for the most important churches in Florence.

He was a prolific designer of prints which were circulated widely throughout Europe for many centuries. Through his knowledge of Florentine and Italian art and his international contacts with engravers and editors in Antwerp, Stradanus contributed to the development of printmaking. He was one of the earliest members of the prominent Accademia e Compagnia delle Arti del Disegno established in Florence in 1563. Stradanus also worked on various commissions in Rome, and resided in Naples from 1576 until about 1580. Thereafter he returned to Florence, dying there in 1605.