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Archetypa studiaque patris Georgii Hoefnagelii [Part 2, Plate 1]

Jacob Hoefnagel

1592

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Insect

Dominant colour

Archetypa studiaque patris Georgii Hoefnagelii [Part 2, Plate 1] is a 1592 ink by Jacob Hoefnagel, a Renaissance work, depicting Insect, 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 black-and-white print shows a giant beetle with huge curved horns standing on a branch. Around it are other insects, flowers, and two round fruits—one split open. The beetle’s body is detailed with cross-hatching lines, and the background has delicate leaves and stems. The title at the top reads *Scarabaei Umbra*, which means "shadow of the scarab beetle." This print was made as part of a book about nature, showing real insects in an artistic way. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Hoefnagel carved these precise lines.

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