Artwork

Plate 50: Grasshoppers, a Caterpillar, and a Scale Insect with a Four O'Clock Flower

Plate 50: Grasshoppers, a Caterpillar, and a Scale Insect with a Four O'Clock Flower 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 50: Grasshoppers, a Caterpillar, and a Scale Insect with a Four O'Clock Flower is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment, created by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel around 1594.

Subject & Meaning

The work features meticulously rendered studies of a grasshopper, caterpillar, scale insect, and a flowering Four O'Clock plant, reflecting the era's emphasis on naturalistic observation and detailed botanical and entomological study.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed fine brushes to capture intricate details, such as individual hairs and spots on the insects. The addition of gold paint creates a luminous, ornate background, characteristic of manuscript illumination techniques.

History & Provenance

This drawing is part of a commissioned manuscript of animal and plant studies, produced for a wealthy collector. It exemplifies Hoefnagel's role as one of the last prominent manuscript illuminators.

Context

Plate 50 contributes to the transitional period in northern European art, influencing the development of topographical drawing and the emergence of floral still-life painting.

Legacy

Now housed in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, the piece is part of a collection showcasing similar miniature, jewel-like studies characterized by vibrant colors and gold accents.