Plate 34: Two Moths with a Spider, a Caterpillar, a Damselfly, and Other Insects
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
You see six insects and a spider drawn in tight formation on a pale background. Two moths spread their wings, while a caterpillar crawls near a thin damselfly, all outlined in fine brown lines. The artist painted each creature with careful detail, as if studying them under a lens. Gold paint traces the edges of the moths’ wings, adding a quiet glow. This was not just art — it was science in progress. Back then, artists like Hoefnagel helped map the natural world before photography existed. Look next at the technique: watercolor, glazing.
