Open full image Pin

Archetypa studiaque patris Georgii Hoefnagelii [Part 1, Plate 8]

Jacob Hoefnagel

1592

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance

Dominant colour

Archetypa studiaque patris Georgii Hoefnagelii [Part 1, Plate 8] 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 engraving shows bugs and plants in sharp black lines. A big moth sits in the center, surrounded by beetles, spiders, and a snail. Flowers and leaves fill the corners, all drawn with careful detail. The background is simple, letting the creatures stand out. The title at the top reads *Flos Cinis*, which might mean "flower of ash" in Latin. This print was made in 1592, part of a book of nature studies. Next, check out engraving to see how artists carved these lines into metal.

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