Artwork
Plate 23: Bream(?) and Other Fish

Plate 23: Bream(?) 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. Plate 23: Bream(?
About this work
Overview
Plate 23: Bream(?) and Other Fish is a watercolor and gold paint work on parchment created by Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. It exemplifies the artist's skill in natural history illustration and manuscript illumination.
Subject & Meaning
The work is a detailed study of ten fish, possibly including bream, presented in a light blue oval frame. The fish are numbered and labeled in Latin, indicating a scientific or educational purpose.
Technique & Style
Hoefnagel's use of watercolor and gold paint on parchment showcases his mastery of delicate, precise rendering. The gold border and watercolor style evoke the appearance of a page from an illuminated manuscript.
Context
As a Flemish artist trained in multiple disciplines, Hoefnagel contributed to the development of naturalistic studies in northern Europe, bridging manuscript illumination and emerging still-life painting genres.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel (1542 – 24 July 1601) was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant.

















