Plate 41: Whitefish(?) and Other Fish
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows a circle of water with nine different fish floating inside. Each fish has its own spot, some facing left, some right, with careful details like scales and fins. The background is a pale blue, and the whole thing is framed by a thin gold line. The fish are labeled with tiny numbers, like a science book. The artist used watercolor and gold paint on parchment, which makes the colors look soft but precise. Next, look up technique: watercolor, glazing to see how artists build up light and color this way.
