Plate 11: Pair of Guinea Fowl with Palm Tree and Fritillaria c. 1575 - 1580

This watercolor and gouache, with touches of gold and silver, was painted by Joris Hoefnagel around 1575-1600. Observe the pair of guinea fowl, rendered with striking detail, alongside a palm tree and fritillaria. The palm, traditionally a symbol of victory and eternal life in Roman culture, reappears in Christian iconography representing martyrdom and spiritual triumph. Likewise, the fritillaria flower, with its checkered pattern, evokes notions of mortality and sorrow, reminiscent of the tears of the Virgin Mary. These elements weave together a complex interplay of life and death, triumph and sorrow. Consider how these symbols, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, continue to resonate across centuries, carrying echoes of ancient beliefs and emotional states. The image connects us to a shared human experience.