Artwork

Plate 22: Mullet, Flying Fish, Eels, and Other Fish

Plate 22: Mullet, Flying Fish, Eels, and Other Fish, by Joris Hoefnagel, gouache, 1594
Plate 22: Mullet, Flying Fish, Eels, and Other Fish, by Joris Hoefnagel, gouache, 1594

Plate 22: Mullet, Flying Fish, Eels, and Other Fish is a gouache drawing by the Renaissance artist Joris Hoefnagel. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1594, *Plate 22: Mullet, Flying Fish, Eels, and Other Fish* is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel, exemplifying his natural history illustration expertise.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a diverse array of fish species in a circular arrangement, showcasing Hoefnagel’s meticulous observation of marine life and his role in advancing naturalistic representation in northern European art.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed watercolor for the primary composition and gold paint for accents, achieving a blend of naturalism and elegance on the parchment substrate, characteristic of his illustrative approach.

History & Provenance

While the exact commission or original context of *Plate 22* is not detailed here, its creation circa 1594 places it within Hoefnagel’s period of contributing to scientific and topographical illustration developments.

Context

This work is part of the broader Renaissance movement, reflecting the era’s growing interest in scientific accuracy and natural history. For deeper insight, comparing it with contemporaneous naturalist artworks could provide further context.

Legacy

*Plate 22* contributes to Hoefnagel’s legacy in natural history and scientific illustration, influencing the development of floral and natural subject painting in northern Europe during the late Renaissance.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Joris Hoefnagel

Artist

Joris Hoefnagel

Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel (1542 – 24 July 1601) was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.