Plate 70: Worm, Centipede, Millipede, and Other Long Creatures c. 1575 - 1580

This study of worms and insects was made around 1575 by Joris Hoefnagel, using watercolor and gouache on vellum. Note how the artist has carefully depicted the colors and textures of each creature: the shiny, almost wet look of the worm, the segmented body of the centipede, and the dull opacity of the millipede. Hoefnagel was working at a time when scientific observation was becoming increasingly important. This involved the meticulous recording of natural phenomena. The artist’s chosen medium and method are integral to this purpose; the precise application of watercolor and gouache allowed for a high level of detail, effectively documenting the natural world. The labor-intensive process also mirrors the exhaustive study of the creatures themselves, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards empirical knowledge. Ultimately, the value of this work lies not only in its aesthetic qualities, but also in the ways it merges artistic skill with scientific inquiry. It challenges us to see the inherent artistry in the act of observation and documentation.