1594
gouache
vellum
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons is a 1594 gouache by Joris Hoefnagel, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
A reindeer stands beside two melons, all painted in bright watercolor on creamy parchment. Tiny gold dots outline the leaves and antlers, catching the light. Hoefnagel made these for a book of natural wonders, not a gallery wall. Each page was meant to surprise—like finding a reindeer next to fruit. The gold isn’t just decoration; it was a trick to make the colors glow when held up to candlelight. If you like this mix of science and sparkle, look up the technique of glazing.
Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel (1542 – 24 July 1601) was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
