Who painted Plate 46: Bats, Quail, and Oystercatcher(?) by the Water?

Plate 46: Bats, Quail, and Oystercatcher(?) by the Water was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 46: Bats, Quail, and Oystercatcher(?) by the Water?

Plate 46: Bats, Quail, and Oystercatcher(?) by the Water is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 46: Bats, Quail, and Oystercatcher(?) by the Water?

Plate 46: Bats, Quail, and Oystercatcher(?) by the Water is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Plate 46: Bats, Quail, and Oystercatcher(?) by the Water

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 46: Bats, Quail, and Oystercatcher(?) by the Water 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. Created circa 1594, this round watercolor and gold‑painted illustration on parchment presents a small riverside tableau.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1594, this round watercolor and gold‑painted illustration on parchment presents a small riverside tableau.

Created circa 1594, this round watercolor and gold‑painted illustration on parchment presents a small riverside tableau. Four creatures are arranged near a water’s edge: two bats in flight above a branch adorned with purple blossoms, a black‑and‑white bird with a vivid red bill standing on grass, and a quail with its young concealed beneath a rock. A soft blue wash forms the background, framed by a thin golden border.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes nocturnal and diurnal fauna, highlighting the diversity of wet‑land life. The bats, rendered in mid‑air, contrast with the grounded bird and quail, suggesting a study of behavior and habitat. The inclusion of delicate flowers and a tranquil water setting underscores an interest in the interrelation of flora and fauna.

Technique & Style

Watercolor washes are layered to achieve transparent glazes, while fine lines define feathers and fur. Gold paint applied to the border and selective details adds a luminous quality, enhancing the delicate parchment surface. The rendering balances scientific precision with decorative elegance, characteristic of late‑Renaissance manuscript illumination.

History & Provenance

The work is attributed to Joris Hoefnagel, a Flemish miniaturist noted for natural‑history illustration. It belongs to a series of plates produced toward the end of the manuscript illumination tradition in northern Europe, reflecting Hoefnagel’s role in the transition toward topographical and still‑life drawing.

Context

At the close of the 16th century, artists in the Low Countries increasingly merged observational study with decorative art. Hoefnagel’s plates, including this one, exemplify that shift, bridging the detailed observation of naturalists with the ornamental aesthetics of illuminated books.