smithsonianlibraries:Caution: monsters in the margins! These little beasts lurk around the text of o
smithsonianlibraries:Caution: monsters in the margins! These little beasts lurk around the text of our Cooper Hewitt Library’s 16th century manuscript book of hours. Known as grotesques, they are meant to be a profane contrast to the prayers in the book, reminding the reader that life on earth can be a dangerous, sinful place. But through our modern eyes, the snail people and bagpipe-playing animals are more charming than disturbing! -- source link