What movement is Plate 1: Pedro González (Petrus Gonsalvus) and His Wife, Catherine?

Plate 1: Pedro González (Petrus Gonsalvus) and His Wife, Catherine is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Plate 1: Pedro González (Petrus Gonsalvus) and His Wife, Catherine

Plate 1: Pedro González (Petrus Gonsalvus) and His Wife, Catherine 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.

About this work

Overview

Plate 1: Pedro González (Petrus Gonsalvus) and His Wife, Catherine is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment created by Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. It is an example of the artist's work in manuscript illumination, a field he significantly contributed to in northern Europe.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts Pedro González, a man with hypertrichosis, and his wife Catherine, standing together and facing the viewer. The portrayal reflects Hoefnagel's interest in naturalistic and ethnographic subjects, presenting the couple in a straightforward manner.

Technique & Style

Executed in a Renaissance style, the drawing features intricate details and a focus on realism. The use of watercolor and gold paint on parchment lends the piece a luxurious and elegant quality, characteristic of Hoefnagel's skill as a miniaturist and painter.

History & Provenance

The drawing is now held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, as part of its collection.