Plate 61: Four Snails

Plate 61: Four Snails

Joris Hoefnagel

1594

gouache

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This painting shows four snails in different positions. Three snails are facing right, while one is facing left. The snails are drawn in various colors, including brown, black, and gray. The background is a light beige color. A notable detail is the intricate design on the shell of the largest snail, which is facing right. The shell has a spiral pattern with lines that get closer together towards the center. The painting is an example of Renaissance art, characterized by its attention to detail and realistic depiction of nature. To learn more about this style, explore the Renaissance movement.

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