Who painted Plate 72: Shield Bug, Cinnamon Bug, Wasp, and Other Insects?

Plate 72: Shield Bug, Cinnamon Bug, Wasp, and Other Insects was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 72: Shield Bug, Cinnamon Bug, Wasp, and Other Insects?

Plate 72: Shield Bug, Cinnamon Bug, Wasp, and Other Insects is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 72: Shield Bug, Cinnamon Bug, Wasp, and Other Insects?

Plate 72: Shield Bug, Cinnamon Bug, Wasp, and Other Insects is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 72: Shield Bug, Cinnamon Bug, Wasp, and Other Insects?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 72: Shield Bug, Cinnamon Bug, Wasp, and Other Insects are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 72: Shield Bug, Cinnamon Bug, Wasp, and Other Insects

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 72: Shield Bug, Cinnamon Bug, Wasp, and Other Insects 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. This small watercolor on parchment, created around 1594, depicts a group of insects on a branch.

Inscription: Inscribed:Center right in brown ink: LXXII. Facing page: Upper center in red ink: Omnia haec manus mea fecit: Et facta sunt / universa dicit dominus Isa.66. (“My hand made all these things, and all these things were made, said the Lord.” Isaiah 66:2) (Latin Vulgate Bible)

About this work

Overview

This small watercolor on parchment, created around 1594, depicts a group of insects on a branch. The artist, Joris Hoefnagel, was a Flemish painter known for his detailed renderings of natural subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The painting features four insects: a green shield bug, a cinnamon bug, a wasp, and a moth. The level of detail and the use of gold paint to highlight their edges suggest a fascination with the natural world and a desire to accurately represent it.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel's technique involved layering watercolor to achieve a realistic representation of the insects. The use of gold paint adds a touch of luxury to the depiction of these often-overlooked creatures.

Context

As a pioneer in the transition from manuscript illumination to independent genres like still-life painting, Hoefnagel's work reflects the emerging interest in natural history and detailed observation in northern Europe during the late 16th century.