Saint Augustine of Hippo: a child compares its attempt to empty the sea with a spoon with Saint Augustine's attempts understand the Holy Trinity. Coloured engraving by F. Huybrechts.

In the sky above, the Trinity

According to a legend, Saint Augustine realised the difficulty of understanding the Trinity when he saw the attempt of a child to empty the sea into a hole on the beach

[Antwerp?]

1 print : engraving on vellum, with watercolour ; image 8.5 x 6.2 cm

S. Augustinus. F. Huberti Manuscript text referring to Saint Augustine on verso, possibly a quotation from his writings: S: Augustinus spricht. Es soll sich einer nicht schämen buess zu thuen, der Sich nicht geschämbt hat zu begehrn, was man biessen soll. Wan auf mich die Trieb sall zilt ist allein Geduld mein schilt Ich veracht die Kürze Zeit weill Ich hoff die Ewigkeit

Wellcome Collection 46379i