Who painted Plate 18: Heron and Stork?

Plate 18: Heron and Stork was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 18: Heron and Stork?

Plate 18: Heron and Stork is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 18: Heron and Stork?

Plate 18: Heron and Stork is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 18: Heron and Stork?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 18: Heron and Stork are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 18: Heron and Stork

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 18: Heron and Stork 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 brown ink: Non solum patriae terrae mortalibus ipsis / Est innatus amor: volucres, et plurima ponti, / Ad suetas rediere domos, ni vincla morentur.; right center in (gold?): XVIII.; birds in image numbered .1. and .2., in red ink Facing page: Upper center in blue/black ink: . . . . . . . . . . . sumptis quin candida pennis. / Ipsa sibi plaudat crepitante Ciconia rostro.; lower center in blue/black ink: Officium pietatis amans, genitoribus ales / Reddit, alit senio tergore fertq[ue] graves. / A:S:de Ciconia. (Stockelius?)

About this work

Overview

Plate 18: Heron and Stork is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment, created by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. This work exemplifies his role in late 16th-century naturalistic and topographical drawing.

Subject & Meaning

The piece depicts a heron and a stork standing side by side in a simple, detailed landscape with surrounding flora. The composition, adorned with a gold circle, reflects both scientific observation and decorative intent, characteristic of the era's illustrative traditions.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed watercolor and gold paint on parchment, techniques reminiscent of manuscript illumination. The meticulous rendering of the birds and their environment showcases his skill in naturalistic drawing, a precursor to independent floral still-life painting in northern Europe.

History & Provenance

As one of the last prominent manuscript illuminators, Hoefnagel's work bridges traditional illumination and emerging natural history illustration. The Latin text accompanying the piece aligns with contemporary scholarly and decorative conventions.

Context

Plate 18: Heron and Stork sits within a broader tradition of scientific and decorative illustration of the late 16th century, contributing to the development of more detailed and realistic representations of flora and fauna.

Legacy

This drawing, with its detailed studies of animals, influenced the rise of independent floral still-life painting in northern Europe, leaving a mark on the transition from illuminated manuscripts to more modern forms of artistic expression.