Plate 2: Two Eagles
1576
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1576
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
In the center of the image, two eagles are depicted in a circular frame. The larger eagle is on the left, facing right, while the smaller one is above it, flying towards the left. The background is a light beige color with a faint oval outline around the birds. The larger eagle has a dark brown body with lighter feathers on its chest and head. Its beak is black, and its talons are yellow. The smaller eagle is also brown but has lighter feathers on its wings and tail. It appears to be in mid-flight, with its wings spread wide. The painting's attention to detail and use of color create a sense of realism, drawing the viewer's eye to the eagles. To learn more about the artist's technique, look up the Renaissance movement.