Who painted Plate 47: Nine Crabs?

Plate 47: Nine Crabs was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 47: Nine Crabs?

Plate 47: Nine Crabs is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 47: Nine Crabs?

Plate 47: Nine Crabs is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 47: Nine Crabs?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 47: Nine Crabs are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 47: Nine Crabs

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 47: Nine Crabs 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:Crustaceans in image numbered .1., .2., .3, .4., .5., .6., .7., .8., and .9., in red ink; center right in brown ink: XXXXVII. Facing page: upper center in black ink: Quid folia arboribus, pleno quid sydera Coelo, / In freta collectas, alta quid addis aquas?; lower center in red ink: Dominus faciet homines sicut pisces maris: / et quasi reptile non habens principem.habcuc.1. (“The Lord makes men as the fishes of the sea and as the creeping things that have no ruler.” Habakkuk 1:14) (Latin Vulgate Bible)

About this work

Overview

Plate 47: Nine Crabs is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment created by Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. It showcases the artist's meticulous rendering of natural subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts nine crabs of varying sizes and orientations within a blue oval pool, surrounded by a gold border. The crabs are carefully detailed, conveying a sense of movement and diversity.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed watercolor and gold paint to achieve a high level of detail and visual contrast. The use of these mediums reflects his background in manuscript illumination and natural history illustration.

History & Provenance

Joris Hoefnagel, a Flemish artist with a mercantile background, contributed to the development of topographical drawing and floral still-life as a genre in northern Europe. His work on Plate 47: Nine Crabs exemplifies his detailed and scientific approach to natural subjects.