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Archetypa studiaque patris Georgii Hoefnagelii [Part 2, Plate 6]

Jacob Hoefnagel

1592

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance

Dominant colour

Archetypa studiaque patris Georgii Hoefnagelii [Part 2, Plate 6] 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 image is a detailed black-and-white engraving packed with tiny creatures and plants. A vase of flowers sits in the center, surrounded by butterflies, frogs, beetles, and even a snail. The scene looks like a busy garden, with every leaf and bug drawn with sharp lines. The top of the image has Latin text: *"Una hirundo non facit ver"*—which means "one swallow does not make a spring." It’s a reminder that small things together create something bigger. Next, you could learn more about how this was made using engraving.

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