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Artwork

Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish, by Joris Hoefnagel, gouache, 1594
Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish, by Joris Hoefnagel, gouache, 1594

Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish 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 (gold?): Anthias hic, tergo quae non videt, utitur armis, / Vim spinae novitq[ue] suae, versoq[ue] supinus / corpore, lina secat, fixumq[ue] intercipit hamum.; fish in image numbered .1., .2., .3., .4., .5., .6., .7., .8., .9., .10., .11., and .12. in red ink; center right in (gold?): XXV. Facing page: upper center in blue ink: Casus ubique valet, semper tibi pendeat hamus: / Quo minime credis gurgite, piscis erit.; lower center in red/violet ink: Tua pater providentia ab initio cuncta gubernat / quonia[m] dedisti et in MARI viam et inter fluctus semitam firmissimam. sap.14.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1594 by Joris Hoefnagel, a Flemish artist renowned for natural history illustrations and manuscript illuminations, Plate 25 is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment featuring a diverse assembly of marine species.

Subject & Meaning

The piece depicts twelve distinct fish species, including Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse and 'Anthiae', arranged within a circular blue field. The meticulous, labeled illustrations reflect the Renaissance convergence of artistic expression and scientific documentation.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed watercolors and gold paint on parchment, achieving a soft glow through layered glazing techniques. A thin gold border frames the scene, enhancing the vibrant, evenly distributed fish in shades of pink, green, and brown against a suggested aquatic background.

History & Provenance

While specific provenance details for Plate 25 are not provided, its creation circa 1594 situates it within Hoefnagel's contributions to late 16th-century northern European art, notably in natural history drawing and the nascent floral still-life genre.

Context

This work embodies the Renaissance's blending of art and science. Hoefnagel's precision in natural history illustration influenced the development of topographical drawing and the independent floral still-life painting genre in northern Europe.

Legacy

Plate 25 exemplifies Hoefnagel's impact on the intersection of artistic and scientific practices in the Renaissance, leaving a legacy in the evolution of natural history and botanical art in Europe.

Plate 20: Sea Bream, Dentex, Sargo, and Other Fish
Plate 20: Sea Bream, Dentex, Sargo, and Other Fish, Joris Hoefnagel

Artist & collection

Portrait of Joris Hoefnagel

Artist

Joris Hoefnagel

Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel (1542 – 24 July 1601) was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant.

MORE BY JORIS HOEFNAGEL

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of National Gallery of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish?

Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish?

Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish?

Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 25: Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse, Other Wrasse, a Swallowtail Sea Perch(?), Several "Anthiae," and Other Fish are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.