Artwork
Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine
Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine 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
Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment created by Joris Hoefnagel around 1594.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Hoefnagel's skill in manuscript illumination and natural history illustration, characterized by meticulous detail and the use of watercolor and gold paint on parchment.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts three animals: a polecat, mink, and ermine, reflecting Hoefnagel's focus on the detailed study of fauna.
Legacy
Hoefnagel's work contributed to the development of floral and natural still-life painting in northern Europe during the late 16th century, as one of the last prominent manuscript illuminators.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel (1542 – 24 July 1601) was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant.
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