Plate 41: Whitefish(?) and Other Fish c. 1575 - 1580

This watercolor on vellum by Joris Hoefnagel, dating from c. 1575-1580, is part of a larger series of meticulously detailed illustrations of the natural world. The plate showcases various fish species swimming within a circular frame against a light blue background, a common motif in Hoefnagel's work. The artist's masterful depiction of the fish, with their varying scales, fins, and positions, exemplifies his scientific accuracy and artistic skill. This work is a prime example of the 16th-century fascination with natural history and the rise of scientific illustration as a distinct artistic form.