1594
gouache
vellum
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Plate 22: Two White Pelicans with a Sycamore Fig is a 1594 gouache by Joris Hoefnagel, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows two white pelicans on a small, yellowish island in a body of water. One stands tall, its long beak pointed forward, while the other sits curled up on the ground. Above them, a branch with green leaves and small figs stretches across the top of the circle. The background is simple—just a hint of blue water and a patch of land—but the pelicans are the focus. The artist used soft colors and careful lines to make them look real. Next, check out the technique: watercolor, glazing to see how layers of paint create depth.
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 →
