Plate 27: An Eyed Hawk-Moth, Two Chyrsalides, and Other Insects c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel made this watercolor and gouache on vellum, sometime in the late 16th century. It's fascinating how Hoefnagel used traditional techniques to capture the intricate details of the natural world. Look closely, and you'll see the artist’s mastery of the brush, using fine strokes to render the delicate wings of the moth, the hard shells of the chrysalides, and other minute insects. The vivid colors and meticulous detail were achieved by patiently layering the pigments, a labor-intensive process. This reflects the social and cultural values of the time, where craftsmanship was highly regarded, and time was less of a constraint. Consider the work involved in creating this artwork. Hoefnagel, as a trained miniaturist, would have spent hours on this single page. This is a far cry from today's mass-produced images, where the value of labor is often overlooked. By appreciating the making, we can fully understand the social context and meaning of this beautiful artwork.