Plate 49: Gulls with a Carob Tree and a Pistachio Tree(?)
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows five birds perched and standing on branches and grass near water. Two trees—one with green leaves and small yellow fruit, the other with darker leaves—frame the scene. The birds have different colors: some are gray, others black, and one is mostly white. The background is simple, with a light sky and a small body of water. The Latin words at the top and bottom label the birds as "Larus partvirt" and "Larus hiat," which likely refer to types of gulls. The artist used gold paint to highlight the edges, making the scene look detailed and elegant. Next, check out watercolor, glazing to see how artists build depth with layers of paint.
