“Hooded Serpent” is an artwork created by Paul Revere in 1774, belonging to the Rococo art movement. Engaged in the genre of animal painting, this piece is part of the series titled “Illustrations for the Royal American Magazine.”
The artwork showcases a hooded serpent, likely a cobra, poised with its hood flared open in a defensive manner. Intricate and detailed etching work is evident in the texture of the serpent’s scales and the structured design of its hood. The serpent’s elongated body is arranged in a sinuous curve, indicating both motion and tension. The piece is rendered in monochromatic tones, typical of engravings from that era, capturing the stark contrast and fine detail essential to such illustrative work. The artwork conveys a blend of naturalistic observation and stylized representation, characteristic of Revere’s contributions to periodicals of the time.
