Who painted Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine?

Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine?

Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine?

Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine 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 red/violet ink: Qui respicit TERRAM et facit illam tremere / Qui tangit Montes, et fumigant ps:103. (“He looks at the earth, and makes it tremble. He touches the mountains, and they smoke.” Psalms 103:32) (Latin Vulgate Bible); center right in (gold?): XXXXIV.; animals in image numbered .1., .2., .3., and .4., in red ink; lower center in brown ink: :2: / Huic etiam muri proprium, quod ruminat herbas / stratus humi, veluti vaccae, cerniq[ue] fugaces. Facing page: upper center in brown ink: DEVS QVIS SIMILIS TVI? ps 70 (“God, who is like to thee?” Psalms 70:19) (Latin Vulgate Bible); lower center in black/blue ink: Montes sicut cera fluxerunt a facie domini: a Facie do[m]i[n]i / omnis Terra ps:96: (“The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.” Psalms 96:5) (Latin Vulgate Bible)

About this work

Overview

Plate 44: Polecat, Mink, and Ermine is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment created by Joris Hoefnagel around 1594.

Technique & Style

The work showcases Hoefnagel's skill in manuscript illumination and natural history illustration, characterized by meticulous detail and the use of watercolor and gold paint on parchment.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts three animals: a polecat, mink, and ermine, reflecting Hoefnagel's focus on the detailed study of fauna.

Legacy

Hoefnagel's work contributed to the development of floral and natural still-life painting in northern Europe during the late 16th century, as one of the last prominent manuscript illuminators.