Artwork

Plate 4: Four Salmon

Plate 4: Four Salmon, by Joris Hoefnagel, gouache, 1594
Plate 4: Four Salmon, by Joris Hoefnagel, gouache, 1594

Plate 4: Four Salmon 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 circa 1594, *Plate 4: Four Salmon* is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment attributed to Joris Hoefnagel, a Flemish artist noted for natural history and topographical works.

Subject & Meaning

The piece depicts four salmon, showcasing Hoefnagel's meticulous approach to natural subjects, where scientific accuracy converges with artistic refinement.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor and gold paint on parchment, the work exemplifies Hoefnagel's skill as one of the last manuscript illuminators, bridging traditional techniques with emerging floral still-life tendencies in northern Europe.

History & Provenance

Dating to around 1594, the artwork is part of Hoefnagel's late 16th-century output, contributing to the development of floral still-life painting in northern Europe during this period.

Legacy

*Plate 4: Four Salmon* reflects Hoefnagel's influence on the rise of natural history illustration and floral still-life painting, highlighting his blend of observation and artistry.

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.