Artwork

Plate 47: A Dragonfly (Banded Darter?), Grasshopper, Houseflies, a Carrion Beetle, a Flower Longhorn Beetle, and Other Insects

Plate 47: A Dragonfly (Banded Darter?), Grasshopper, Houseflies, a Carrion Beetle, a Flower Longhorn Beetle, and Other Insects 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 ink: VEL MVSCAS PRAETERVOLANTES.; insects in image numbered .1., .2., .3., and .4., in red ink; center right in brown ink: XXXXVII. Facing page: Upper center in red ink: Muscae morientes perdunt suavitatem unguenti: praetiosior / est sapientia, et gloria, parva ad tempus stultitia Ecc.10 (“Dying flies spoil the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory are more precious than a small and shortlived folly.” Ecclesiastes 10:1) (Latin Vulgate Bible)

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1594 by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel, this miniature work combines watercolor, gold pigment and actual insect wings on a parchment sheet. It presents a close‑up grouping of a dragonfly, a grasshopper, houseflies, a carrion beetle and a longhorn beetle, rendered with meticulous detail that reflects the scientific curiosity of the late sixteenth century.

Subject & Meaning

The composition functions as a natural‑history study, illustrating a variety of common insects side by side. By juxtaposing species from different orders, Hoefnagel emphasizes the diversity of the insect world and invites viewers to observe the fine structures of wings, legs and antennae.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed transparent watercolor washes to model body forms, while real dragonfly wings were adhered to the surface, adding authentic texture. Gold paint highlights wing venation and creates a subtle luminous effect. The overall style merges precise observation with decorative illumination typical of manuscript art.

History & Provenance

The sheet formed part of an illustrated insect atlas commissioned by Emperor Rudolf II of Bohemia, who collected natural curiosities for his court. The work has remained on parchment for more than four centuries, retaining its vivid coloration despite age.

Context

During the late Renaissance, courts across Europe fostered interest in cataloguing nature, and artists like Hoefnagel bridged scientific documentation and artistic embellishment. His contributions to topographical and botanical illustration helped lay groundwork for the emergence of still‑life painting in northern Europe.