Who painted Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants?

Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants was painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1594.

Where can I see Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants?

Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants?

Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants?

Museum-quality prints of Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants

Joris Hoefnagel , 1594

Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants 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 violet ink: Triste lupus stabulis, maturis frugibus hymbres / Arboribus venti, Christi fidelibus irae.; center right in (gold?): IX.; birds in image numbered .1. and .2., in red ink; plants in image numbered .3. and .4., in red ink. Facing page: Upper center in black ink: Argina primum sunt transportata carina, / Ante mihi notum, nil nisi Phasis erat.; lower center in black ink: Venit insitio, fac Ramus, Ramum adoptet: / stetq[ue] peregrinis arbor operta comis.

About this work

Overview

Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants is a watercolor and gold paint drawing on parchment, created by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel around 1594. This work showcases Hoefnagel's expertise in natural history illustration and manuscript illumination.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts two pheasants by a serene pond, set against a backdrop of a tree laden with red berries. One bird, vibrant and upright, contrasts with the other, subdued and drinking. The scene may symbolize the coexistence of vitality and calm in nature.

Technique & Style

Hoefnagel employed watercolor for the central image and gold paint to create a decorative border, framing the scene. His meticulous attention to detail is evident in the textured feathers and berries, blending naturalistic observation with ornate decoration.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1594, this piece contributes to Hoefnagel's body of work in natural history illustration and the nascent floral still-life genre in northern Europe. Its specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

This work reflects Hoefnagel's influence on the development of independent still-life art through his precise, scientifically informed depictions of flora and fauna, characteristic of his contributions to manuscript illumination.

Legacy

Plate 9 exemplifies Hoefnagel's artistic legacy, highlighting his ability to merge detailed natural observation with decorative elements, a hallmark of his style in both animal drawings and botanical illustrations.