Artwork

Plate 29: Geese with Poppies and a Cyclamen

Plate 29: Geese with Poppies and a Cyclamen, by Joris Hoefnagel, gouache, 1594
Plate 29: Geese with Poppies and a Cyclamen, by Joris Hoefnagel, gouache, 1594

Plate 29: Geese with Poppies and a Cyclamen 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 29: Geese with Poppies and a Cyclamen* is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment by Joris Hoefnagel, a Flemish artist renowned for natural history illustrations and manuscript illuminations.

Subject & Meaning

The piece depicts two geese in a serene pond setting, surrounded by vibrant red poppies, green foliage, and yellow flowers. The composition highlights Hoefnagel’s blend of artistic flair and scientific attention to detail in capturing flora and fauna.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed soft, realistic colors and gentle lines to portray the subjects. The incorporation of gold paint, particularly in the border, adds a touch of elegance. The overall effect is one of calm realism, achieved through meticulous detail work.

History & Provenance

As one of the last prominent manuscript illuminators, Hoefnagel’s work contributed to the emergence of floral still-life painting in late 16th-century northern Europe. *Plate 29* exemplifies his transitional role between illuminated manuscripts and the development of still-life genres.

Context

This drawing reflects the scientific curiosity and artistic innovation of the late Renaissance, where detailed observation of nature began to influence artistic production, paving the way for later naturalist and still-life traditions.

Legacy

*Plate 29* showcases Hoefnagel’s influence on the evolution of natural history illustration and floral still-life painting, leaving a legacy in the intersection of art and scientific observation in European art history.

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.