Where can I see Plate 63: Six Small Birds, Including a Bluethroat and a Cuckoo(?)?

Plate 63: Six Small Birds, Including a Bluethroat and a Cuckoo(?) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 63: Six Small Birds, Including a Bluethroat and a Cuckoo(?)?

Plate 63: Six Small Birds, Including a Bluethroat and a Cuckoo(?) is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Plate 63: Six Small Birds, Including a Bluethroat and a Cuckoo(?)

Plate 63: Six Small Birds, Including a Bluethroat and a Cuckoo(?) 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 around 1594, *Plate 63: Six Small Birds, Including a Bluethroat and a Cuckoo(?

About this work

Overview

Created around 1594, *Plate 63: Six Small Birds, Including a Bluethroat and a Cuckoo(?)* is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment by Joris Hoefnagel, a Flemish artist renowned for his contributions to natural history illustration and manuscript illumination.

Subject & Meaning

The piece depicts six small birds, including a identifiable Bluethroat and a possibly intended Cuckoo, set amidst twisted tree roots and rocks on a serene beachscape with water and sky. The composition reflects Hoefnagel's blend of artistic flair and precise observation of natural subjects.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed watercolor and gold paint on parchment, achieving a delicate, luminous effect. The birds are rendered in soft, bright hues (brown, blue, pink) with stylized realism, suggestive of a nature study. The circular composition is framed by a gold border, enhancing its ornate, illuminated manuscript feel.

History & Provenance

As one of the last prominent manuscript illuminators, Hoefnagel's work influenced the development of topographical drawing and floral still-life painting in northern Europe. Specific provenance details for *Plate 63* are not provided in the available information.

Context

This work embodies the intersection of art and science characteristic of Hoefnagel's practice, situating it within the broader Renaissance tradition of detailed natural history illustration.

Legacy

*Plate 63* contributes to Hoefnagel's legacy as a pivotal figure in the evolution of natural history art and manuscript illumination, highlighting his unique balance of precision and aesthetic appeal.