Who painted Plate 50: A Partial Mantis Shrimp with Tower Snail Shells?

Plate 50: A Partial Mantis Shrimp with Tower Snail Shells was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 50: A Partial Mantis Shrimp with Tower Snail Shells?

Plate 50: A Partial Mantis Shrimp with Tower Snail Shells is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 50: A Partial Mantis Shrimp with Tower Snail Shells?

Plate 50: A Partial Mantis Shrimp with Tower Snail Shells is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 50: A Partial Mantis Shrimp with Tower Snail Shells?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 50: A Partial Mantis Shrimp with Tower Snail Shells are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 50: A Partial Mantis Shrimp with Tower Snail Shells

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 50: A Partial Mantis Shrimp with Tower Snail Shells 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:Crustacean in image numbered .1., in red ink; shells in image numbered .2., 3., and .4., in red ink: center right in brown ink: L. Facing page: upper center in red ink: Benedicite Domino omnia opera eius / In omni loco Dominationes ei[us].ps 102. (“Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion.” Psalms 102:22) (Latin Vulgate Bible); lower center in violet ink: Nonne dominus fecit sanctos enarrare o[m/n]ia mirabilia sua / quae co[n]firmavit dominus deus o[m]nipotens stabiliri in gloria sua/ Ecc[us]:42. (“Has not the Lord made the saints to declare all his wonderful works, which the Lord Almighty has firmly settled to be established for his glory?” Ecclesiasticus 42:17) (Latin Vulgate Bible)

About this work

Overview

Created around 1594 by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel, Plate 50: A Partial Mantis Shrimp with Tower Snail Shells is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment, exemplifying the artist's meticulous approach to natural history illustration.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a mantis shrimp, distinguished by a pink crown and wing-like flaps, accompanied by two tower snail shells of differing patterns. This precise rendering reflects Hoefnagel's scientific inclination in artistic representation.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed fine lines, soft watercolors, and accents of gold paint on parchment, achieving a delicate yet precise visual effect. This technique showcases his skill as one of the last manuscript illuminators of his time.

History & Provenance

While specific provenance details for Plate 50 are not provided, it is known to have been created during Hoefnagel's active period in the late 16th century, contributing to the evolution of northern European floral still-life and topographical drawing.

Context

This work sits within the broader context of late 16th-century northern European art, where detailed natural history illustrations began to influence the development of both floral still-life painting and precise topographical drawings.

Legacy

As part of Hoefnagel's oeuvre, Plate 50 reflects his contribution to the transition from manuscript illumination to more modern artistic practices, particularly in the meticulous depiction of natural subjects.