1594
gouache
vellum
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Plate 46: Stone Marten, Chipmunk, and Moles with a Marigold and Lettuce is a 1594 gouache by Joris Hoefnagel, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a small, detailed scene of animals and plants. A weasel-like creature sits on a curved branch above, while a chipmunk perches on a pile of dirt. Two moles peek out from the ground, and a few plants—like a red flower and green lettuce—grow nearby. The colors are soft, with earthy browns, greens, and a touch of gold framing the whole picture. The tiny details, like the moles’ fur or the plant roots, make the scene feel alive. The gold border and careful brushwork suggest this was meant to look fancy and precise. 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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