Who painted Plate 5: Stag Beetle?

Plate 5: Stag Beetle was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 5: Stag Beetle?

Plate 5: Stag Beetle is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 5: Stag Beetle?

Plate 5: Stag Beetle is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 5: Stag Beetle?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 5: Stag Beetle are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 5: Stag Beetle

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 5: Stag Beetle 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: SCARABEI VMBRA. (“The shadow of the stage beetle.” Erasmus, _Adages_ 3.2.45) (trans. Bass 2019, 233); center right in gold: V. Facing page: Upper center in red ink: Cornubus armatus generat se Cantharus ipsum / Christus homo suimet, solus origo fuit. A:S (Stockelius?) (“Armed with horns, the stag beetle generates itself. Christ as a man originated himself alone. A[nselmus]:S[tockelius]”) (trans. Bass 2019, 234)

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1594, this small work by Joris Hoefnagel depicts a stag beetle rendered in watercolor and accented with gold on a parchment support. The image presents the insect against a plain, light background, giving it a three‑dimensional presence that suggests a lifelike study rather than a decorative motif.

Subject & Meaning

The focus of the drawing is a single stag beetle, shown in meticulous detail: its robust mandibles, segmented legs, and folded wing covers are all rendered with scientific accuracy. By isolating the creature, Hoefnagel emphasizes observation and classification, reflecting the growing interest in natural history during the late sixteenth century.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed fine watercolor washes to model the beetle’s form, while thin applications of gold paint highlight the glossy exoskeleton and accentuate structural edges. The delicate brushwork, characteristic of manuscript illumination, creates a crisp, almost taxonomic illustration that balances artistic rendering with empirical precision.

History & Provenance

The drawing belongs to a series of natural history plates produced by Hoefnagel toward the end of his career as a manuscript illuminator. Executed in the Flemish tradition, it illustrates his role in bridging illuminated manuscripts and the emerging genre of still‑life and scientific illustration in northern Europe.

Context

At the time of its creation, detailed studies of flora and fauna were gaining prominence among scholars and collectors. Hoefnagel’s work contributed to this trend, offering a model for later artists who would incorporate realistic depictions of insects into still‑life compositions and natural history books.