Who painted Plate 62: A Slug with Snails?

Plate 62: A Slug with Snails was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 62: A Slug with Snails?

Plate 62: A Slug with Snails is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 62: A Slug with Snails?

Plate 62: A Slug with Snails is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Plate 62: A Slug with Snails

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 62: A Slug with Snails 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 62: A Slug with Snails is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment created by Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. It is a representative work of the artist's detailed and scientifically informed style.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts four small creatures—a yellow snail, a brown snail, and two slugs—along with a tiny beetle and two empty shells, all within a gold-bordered circle. The scene is rendered in soft colors, including yellows, browns, and pale greens.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel's style is characterized by smooth, careful rendering of tiny details, such as the slugs' slimy trails. The use of watercolor and gold paint on parchment contributes to the work's delicate appearance.

Context

As a Flemish painter and miniaturist, Hoefnagel was known for his natural history illustrations and topographical views, and his work contributed to the development of floral still-life painting in northern Europe during the late 16th century.