Who painted Plate 1: Elephant with Insects?

Plate 1: Elephant with Insects was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 1: Elephant with Insects?

Plate 1: Elephant with Insects is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 1: Elephant with Insects?

Plate 1: Elephant with Insects is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 1: Elephant with Insects?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 1: Elephant with Insects are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 1: Elephant with Insects

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 1: Elephant with Insects 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.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper center in red ink: ELEPHANTVS INDICVS NON CVRAT CVLICES (“The Indian elephant is scarcely troubled by gnats.” Erasmus, _Adages_, 1.10.66) (trans. Bass 2019, 195); center right in (gold?): .I.; elephant in image numbered .1., in red ink. Facing page: upper center in brown ink: Quam magnifica sunt opera tua Domine? Omnia / In sapientia fecisti, Impleta est terra possessione tua ps.103. (“O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all: the earth is full of your riches.” Psalms 103:24) (Latin Vulgate Bible); middle center in black ink: Tristantur rapto parto laetantur honore / Corda Elephantum studiis obnoxia nostris. / Vsque adeo Ingenium mite est Elephantibus, alter / Fraterno alterius damno ut succurrat amore. (“The delicate hearts of the elephants are saddened by booty plundered and made happy by the honor of our affections.” Natale Conti, _De venatione_, 13v-14r (1581) (trans. Bass 2019, 196) / Omnibus est spatium longum, longissima vitae / Tempora, viginti bis dicunt vinere lustra.(“The life span of the elephants can be as long as two hundred years.”) (trans. Bass 2019, 196); lower center in brown ink: Et Barrus barrit (“And the elephant roars.” Anonymous, _Elegia de Philomela_, lines 53-54) (trans. Bass 2019, 195-96): cervi glocitant et onagri: / Ast taurus mugit: et celer hinnit equis.

About this work

Overview

Plate 1: Elephant with Insects is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment created by Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. It exemplifies the artist's skill in natural history illustration.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel's work showcases his meticulous attention to detail and blend of artistic skill with observational precision, characteristic of his approach to depicting natural subjects.

Context

As one of the last manuscript illuminators, Hoefnagel's work played a role in the development of floral still-life painting in northern Europe, influencing the genre's growth.