Where can I see Plate 70: Worm, Centipede, Millipede, and Other Long Creatures?

Plate 70: Worm, Centipede, Millipede, and Other Long Creatures is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 70: Worm, Centipede, Millipede, and Other Long Creatures?

Plate 70: Worm, Centipede, Millipede, and Other Long Creatures is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 70: Worm, Centipede, Millipede, and Other Long Creatures?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 70: Worm, Centipede, Millipede, and Other Long Creatures are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 70: Worm, Centipede, Millipede, and Other Long Creatures

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 70: Worm, Centipede, Millipede, and Other Long Creatures 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:upper center in blue/black ink: Cum moritur homo h[a]ereditabit serpentes / Et bestias et VERMES.Ecc[us].10. (“For when a man shall die, he shall inherit serpents and beasts and worms.” Ecclesiasticus 10:13) (Latin Vulgate Bible); center right in brown ink: LXX.; worm in image numbered .1., in red ink Facing page: upper center in brown ink: Humilia valde spiritum tuum quoniam vindicta / carnis impii ignis et vermis.Ecc:7: (“Be very humble, because the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms.” Ecclesiasticus 7:19) (Latin Vulgate Bible); lower center in red ink: Stellae non sunt mundae in conspectu eius: quanto magis / Homo putredo: et filius hominis vermis. Job: 25. (“The stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man that is rottenness and the son of man who is a worm?” Job 25:5-6) (Latin Vulgate Bible)

About this work

Overview

Plate 70: Worm, Centipede, Millipede, and Other Long Creatures is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment, created by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. The piece features a diverse array of elongated creatures set against a plain white background, showcasing Hoefnagel’s meticulous observation of natural forms.

Subject & Meaning

The subject matter focuses on various invertebrates, including worms, centipedes, and millipedes, highlighting their physical characteristics through detailed, colorful renderings. The work exemplifies Hoefnagel’s contribution to the emerging field of natural history illustration during the Renaissance.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor and gold paint on parchment, the drawing blends artistic finesse with scientific precision. Hoefnagel’s style reflects the transitional period from ornate manuscript illuminations to more straightforward, observant naturalistic studies prevalent in northern Europe during the late 16th century.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1594, the piece is part of Hoefnagel’s body of work that advanced topographical and scientific illustration techniques. While specific ownership history is not detailed here, it is associated with the broader Renaissance art movement.

Context

Within the Renaissance, this work sits at the intersection of art and burgeoning scientific inquiry, particularly in natural history. It reflects the era’s growing interest in detailed, realistic representations of the natural world.

Legacy

Plate 70 contributes to Hoefnagel’s legacy as a pivotal figure in the development of naturalistic illustration in northern Europe, influencing the trajectory of both artistic and scientific depiction of flora and fauna.