Who painted Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils?

Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils?

Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils?

Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils 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: Forma brevis FLOS est, primo spectabilis ortu, / Mox languens fugiente die. (“The flower is splendid as a brief show of beauty, but soon languishes as the day passes.”) (trans.Vignau-Wilberg 1994, 81); insects in image numbered .1., .2, .3, .4., and .5., in red ink; center right in brown ink: LXXIV. Facing page: Upper center in red ink: Nostra, sine auxilio, fugiunt bona: carpite florem: / qui nisi carptus erit turpiter ipse cadet.

About this work

Overview

Plate 74: Insects with White Daffodils is a watercolor and gold paint work on parchment created by Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. It exemplifies the artist's skill in natural history illustration and manuscript illumination.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a white daffodil surrounded by various insects, including beetles, flies, and spiders. Each insect is labeled with a number, suggesting a scientific or observational intent behind the composition.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel's use of watercolor and gold paint on parchment showcases his detailed and layered approach to color and form. The plain, light background with a thin gold border provides a subtle contrast to the intricate botanical and entomological subjects.

Context

As one of the last manuscript illuminators, Hoefnagel's work contributed to the development of floral still-life painting in northern Europe, reflecting a growing interest in natural history and detailed observation during this period.