Artwork

Plate 35: Female Green-Winged Teal, Red-Breasted Merganser(?), Sparrow, and a Greenfinch(?)

Plate 35: Female Green-Winged Teal, Red-Breasted Merganser(?), Sparrow, and a Greenfinch(?) 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 35: Female Green-Winged Teal, Red-Breasted Merganser(?

About this work

Overview

Plate 35: Female Green-Winged Teal, Red-Breasted Merganser(?), Sparrow, and a Greenfinch(?) 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.

Technique & Style

The work showcases Hoefnagel's precise rendering of birds and foliage, characteristic of his nearly scientific approach to nature illustration. The use of watercolor and gold paint on parchment reflects a technique common in manuscript illumination during the late 16th century.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts four birds, identified as a Female Green-Winged Teal, a possible Red-Breasted Merganser, a Sparrow, and a possible Greenfinch. The detailed representation of the birds and surrounding foliage highlights Hoefnagel's focus on naturalistic accuracy.

Context

Created during the Renaissance, the work reflects the period's growing interest in nature and detailed representation. It contributes to the development of topographical and still-life genres in northern Europe.