Artwork
Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils
Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils 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 74: Insects with White Daffodils 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 and manuscript illumination.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a white daffodil surrounded by various insects, including beetles, flies, and spiders. Each insect is labeled with a number, suggesting a scientific or observational intent behind the composition.
Technique & Style
Hoefnagel's use of watercolor and gold paint on parchment showcases his detailed and layered approach to color and form. The plain, light background with a thin gold border provides a subtle contrast to the intricate botanical and entomological subjects.
Context
As one of the last manuscript illuminators, Hoefnagel's work contributed to the development of floral still-life painting in northern Europe, reflecting a growing interest in natural history and detailed observation during this period.
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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