1594
gouache
vellum
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Plate 41: Two Gray Geese with Songbirds in a Cherry Tree is a 1594 gouache by Joris Hoefnagel, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows two gray geese on the ground pecking at grass, while a cherry tree above branches out with small red berries. Perched on the branches are eight colorful songbirds, some facing each other as if chatting. The background is mostly blank, letting the birds and geese stand out against a pale gold border. The title says these are geese and songbirds in a cherry tree, which looks like a quiet nature scene. The artist used watercolor and gold paint on parchment, giving it a soft, glowing look. Next, check out watercolor, glazing to see how artists built up colors like this.
Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel (1542 – 24 July 1601) was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant.
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