Plate 51: Two Sand Lizards, a Common Parsley Frog(?), and a Caterpillar
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This picture shows a lizard curled around a tree branch, a frog sitting on the ground, and a caterpillar on a leaf. The background is soft yellow and green, with a rock and a cloud. The edges of the circle frame the scene like a window. The artist used gold paint to highlight the lizard’s scales and the tree’s bark. The frog looks small next to the lizard, almost like it’s hiding. Next, check out Hoefnagel, Joris to see how he painted tiny details with such care.
