In this captivating work, Joris Hoefnagel presents a swamp hen, woodcock, and two finches with exceptional precision and delicate coloration. Painted between 1575 and 1580, this piece embodies Hoefnagel's talent for merging scientific detail with artistic beauty, a hallmark of Renaissance natural history art. The carefully observed birds are rendered in vivid, lifelike detail against a plain background, focusing attention on the intricate textures and unique forms of each bird. Hoefnagel’s work was instrumental in pioneering the tradition of naturalistic illustration, blending scientific curiosity with aesthetic appreciation.
1575–1580
Artist: Joris Hoefnagel (1542–1600) Medium: Gouache and watercolour on parchment Collection: National Gallery of Art, Washington
