Plate 23: Hummingbird Hawk Moth, Butterflies, and Other Insects around a Snowberry Sprig
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows a snowberry sprig with tiny insects like a hummingbird hawk moth and butterflies. The artist used watercolor and gold paint to make the colors pop. The moth’s wings look almost see-through. The real trick here is the gold background. Back then, gold showed wealth. It also makes the bugs stand out like jewels. Next, look up this artist: Hoefnagel, Joris.
