1594
gouache
vellum
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Plate 55: A Tawny Owl, an Eagle Owl, and Two other Owls is a 1594 gouache by Joris Hoefnagel, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows four owls perched and nestled in a round frame. Two owls sit on a branch above, their feathers detailed in soft browns and golds. Below, two more owls rest in a nest made of feathers, their eyes wide and alert. The background is simple, with a faint greenish ground. Notice how the artist used gold paint to highlight the owls’ feathers, making them stand out. The Latin text around the edges means "Many nocturnal creatures hide under the roof." Look up watercolor, glazing to see how artists build up colors like this.
Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel (1542 – 24 July 1601) was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant.
See the richer artist page
