Artwork

Plate 65: Thrushes and Other Birds

Plate 65: Thrushes and Other Birds, by Joris Hoefnagel, gouache, 1594
Plate 65: Thrushes and Other Birds, by Joris Hoefnagel, gouache, 1594

Plate 65: Thrushes and Other Birds 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 65: Thrushes and Other Birds is a watercolor and gold paint work on parchment created by Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. It exemplifies the artist's skill in natural history illustration.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts four birds in a forest setting, with a Latin inscription suggesting a symbolic or moralistic interpretation. The phrase roughly translates to 'the bird brings death to itself', implying a hidden meaning behind the naturalistic scene.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed watercolor and glazing techniques to achieve a detailed, realistic representation of the birds and their environment. The use of gold paint adds a touch of luminosity to the work.

Context

As a Flemish artist active in the late 16th century, Hoefnagel was part of a tradition of manuscript illumination that influenced the development of floral still-life painting in northern Europe.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Joris Hoefnagel

Artist

Joris Hoefnagel

Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel (1542 – 24 July 1601) was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.