Plate 68: A Ptarmigan, Swallows, and Other Birds c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel’s “Plate 68: A Ptarmigan, Swallows, and Other Birds” is a gouache on vellum from a larger collection of natural history illustrations, created around 1575-1580. This particular plate features a variety of bird species, including swallows, ptarmigan, and other birds, all rendered with meticulous detail and realism. The composition is enclosed in an oval, adding a sense of framing and highlighting the intricate details of the subject matter. This work, like many others by Hoefnagel, demonstrates his expertise in capturing the beauty and diversity of the natural world.