1594
gouache
vellum
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Plate 64: Eleven Insects, Including a Dragonfly and Longhorn Beetle is a 1594 gouache by Joris Hoefnagel, a Renaissance work, depicting Insect, held at National Gallery of Art.
This watercolor shows eleven bugs on a white background. A dragonfly’s wings look almost see-through. A longhorn beetle’s antennae curl like question marks. Gold flecks dot the parchment like tiny stars. The artist painted each insect with sharp detail. Every leg, every wing vein stands out. This wasn’t just art—it was science too. Want to see more? Look up Hoefnagel, Joris.
Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel (1542 – 24 July 1601) was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
