Who painted Plate 34: Seven Flatfish?

Plate 34: Seven Flatfish was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 34: Seven Flatfish?

Plate 34: Seven Flatfish is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 34: Seven Flatfish?

Plate 34: Seven Flatfish is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 34: Seven Flatfish?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 34: Seven Flatfish are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 34: Seven Flatfish

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 34: Seven Flatfish 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:Fish in image numbered .1., .2., .3., .4., .5., and .6.; center right in (gold?): XXXIV. Facing page: upper center in blue: Quamuis lata gerat patella Rhombum / Rhombus latior est tamen patella; lower center in red/violet ink: Sicut divisiones AQVARVM, ita cor regis in manu / Do[m]i[n]i, quocumq[ue] voluerit, inclinabit illud pro:21. (“As the divisions of the waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: wheresoever he will, he will turn it.” Proverbs 21:1) (Latin Vulgate Bible)

About this work

Overview

Plate 34: Seven Flatfish is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment created by Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. It exemplifies the artist's skill in natural history illustration and manuscript illumination.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts seven flatfish in a light blue oval pool, surrounded by a gold border. The fish are rendered in soft colors, with detailed attention to their anatomy, suggesting a scientific approach to their representation.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel's use of watercolor and gold paint on parchment showcases his mastery of traditional manuscript illumination techniques. The layered, nuanced colors achieved through watercolor and possibly glazing techniques, create a sense of depth and subtlety in the depiction of the fish.