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Archetypa studiaque patris Georgii Hoefnagelii [Part 4, Plate 10]

Jacob Hoefnagel

1592

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance

Dominant colour

Archetypa studiaque patris Georgii Hoefnagelii [Part 4, Plate 10] is a 1592 ink by Jacob Hoefnagel, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacob Hoefnagel
When & what style?: 1592 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This picture shows plants and bugs drawn in black lines. There’s a snake curled at the bottom, a big melon, and a butterfly with spots. Leaves and flowers fill the sides. Tiny creatures like beetles and grasshoppers are scattered around. The artist used fine lines to show details, like the snake’s scales or the flower petals. It looks like a science book page—each plant and bug is drawn carefully. Next, check out how engraving works to see how these lines were made.

About the artist

Artist

Jacob Hoefnagel

Jacob Hoefnagel (also 'Jacobus', 'Jakob' or 'Jakub") (1573 in Antwerp – c.1632 in Hamburg), was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman, art dealer, diplomat, merchant and politician.

See the richer artist page