Who painted Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons?

Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons?

Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons?

Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons 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/black ink: Cornibus armatur trepidandis, cornibus illum / Quis tamen aspexit pugnantem?; center right in black ink: XXI.; animal in image numbered .1., in red ink Facing page: upper center in brown ink: Oculi omnium in te sperant Domine: et tu / das Escam illorum in tempore oportuno ps 144. (“The eyes of all hope in you, O Lord, and you give them meat in due season.” Psalms 144:15)

About this work

Overview

Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment, created by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. Characterized by its detailed naturalism and decorative elements, the work showcases Hoefnagel's unique blend of observation and artistic flair.

Subject & Meaning

The piece depicts a reindeer standing alongside two melons, juxtaposing a wild animal with cultivated fruit. This unexpected pairing was intended to evoke surprise, reflecting the theme of natural wonders in the manuscript for which it was designed.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed watercolor for the main imagery and gold paint for accents, such as outlining leaves and antlers. The gold details served a practical purpose, enhancing the work's luminosity when viewed by candlelight, a technique related to glazing.

History & Provenance

Created as part of a book on natural wonders, this drawing represents Hoefnagel's contribution to the transition from manuscript illumination to the emergence of floral still-life painting in late 16th-century northern Europe.

Context

As one of the last prominent manuscript illuminators, Hoefnagel's work bridged traditional decorative arts and the burgeoning interest in natural history and botany, characteristic of the late Renaissance.

Legacy

Plate 21: Reindeer with Melons reflects Hoefnagel's influence on the development of northern European floral still-life painting, combining scientific observation with decorative aesthetics, a hallmark of his artistic legacy.