Who painted Plate 40: Two Otters and a Beaver?

Plate 40: Two Otters and a Beaver was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 40: Two Otters and a Beaver?

Plate 40: Two Otters and a Beaver is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 40: Two Otters and a Beaver?

Plate 40: Two Otters and a Beaver is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Plate 40: Two Otters and a Beaver

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 40: Two Otters and a Beaver 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, this small drawing by the Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel combines watercolor and gold pigment on a sheet of parchment. It forms part of a larger series of natural history studies, cataloguing wildlife with a precision that reflects the artist’s background in manuscript illumination. The work measures only a few inches across, yet its intricate detail invites close inspection.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a pair of otters alongside a beaver, rendered in a naturalistic pose that suggests observation from life. By grouping these semi‑aquatic mammals together, Hoefnagel highlights the diversity of riverine fauna and underscores the scientific curiosity of the late sixteenth century, when cataloguing the natural world was an emerging scholarly pursuit.

Technique & Style

Employing the luminous qualities of watercolor, Hoefnagel builds form through layered washes, while the application of gold paint adds a subtle sheen to fur and water surfaces. The delicate line work and fine stippling recall the conventions of illuminated manuscripts, yet the composition also anticipates the more restrained, observational style of later northern still‑life painting.

History & Provenance

Hoefnagel, known for his contributions to topographical and natural history illustration, produced this piece as part of a personal collection of animal studies. The drawing remained in private hands for several centuries before entering a museum collection in the early twentieth century, where it has been displayed as an example of early scientific art.