Artwork

Plate 67: Large White and Small White Butterfly Caterpillars, Hornworm Caterpillar, Broom Moth Caterpillar, and Others

Plate 67: Large White and Small White Butterfly Caterpillars, Hornworm Caterpillar, Broom Moth Caterpillar, and Others is a gouache drawing by the Renaissance artist Joris Hoefnagel. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:center right in brown ink: LXVII. Facing page: upper center in brown ink: Quis investigavit magnalia eius? Ecc 18. (“Who can search out his majestic power?” Ecclesiasticus 18:3) (Latin Vulgate Bible); lower center in black/blue ink: Per tal variare natura e bella

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1594, this watercolor and gold-painted illustration on parchment depicts a selection of caterpillars, including the large white, small white butterfly larvae, the hornworm, and the broom moth. It forms plate 67 in Joris Hoefnagel’s natural‑history series, showcasing his meticulous observation of insects.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents several lepidopteran larvae side by side, each rendered with attention to distinguishing markings and form. By grouping these species, Hoefnagel offers a comparative study of their morphology, reflecting the period’s interest in cataloguing and understanding the natural world.

Technique & Style

Executed in delicate watercolor washes accented with gold leaf, the work balances scientific precision with decorative elegance. The parchment support provides a smooth surface for fine line work, while the gold highlights emphasize structural details, a hallmark of Hoefnagel’s manuscript illumination background.

History & Provenance

The plate belongs to the Archetypa studiaque patrum series, a collection of illustrated studies commissioned by the Habsburg court. Hoefnagel’s contributions to this project circulated among scholars and collectors, influencing subsequent natural‑history illustration in northern Europe.

Context

Produced during the late sixteenth century, the illustration reflects the burgeoning Renaissance fascination with empirical observation. Hoefnagel’s work bridges artistic tradition and emerging scientific inquiry, positioning him among the early contributors to systematic entomological documentation.