Plate 54: An Owl, with a Second in the Distance Eating a Rabbit
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows a large owl perched on a rock, staring straight ahead with bright orange eyes. Behind it, a smaller bird pecks at a rabbit on a branch. The background has green leaves, red berries, and a gold circle framing the scene. The owl’s feathers are detailed in soft browns, while the rock and sky are muted blues and greens. The artist used gold paint to highlight the owl’s feathers and the circle’s edge, making them stand out. The Latin text at the top likely names the scene, but it’s hard to read up close. Next, check out watercolor, glazing to see how artists built up colors like this.
