Plate 8: Bearded Vulture with Two Birds of Prey
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows three birds perched on bare branches inside a round frame. The biggest bird has a red face and black feathers, while the other two are darker brown with sharp beaks. The background is plain, but the birds look detailed and alive. The artist used watercolor and gold paint on parchment, which gives the image a fancy, almost glowing look. The Latin text around the edge adds a scholarly feel, like it’s part of a book. Next, check out technique: watercolor, glazing to see how artists build up light and color this way.
