Artwork
Plate 54: Hairy Dragonfly and Two Darters
Plate 54: Hairy Dragonfly and Two Darters 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 54: Hairy Dragonfly and Two Darters is a drawing created around 1594 by Joris Hoefnagel, a Flemish artist known for his natural history illustrations.
Technique & Style
The work combines watercolor, gold paint, and actual dragonfly wings on parchment, showcasing Hoefnagel's innovative use of materials to achieve a lifelike effect.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing presents a detailed study of two dragonfly species, demonstrating Hoefnagel's artistic precision and naturalistic observation.
Context
Hoefnagel's work contributed to the evolution of northern European art, bridging the gap between manuscript illumination and independent still-life painting.
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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