Plate 4: Four Salmon c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel's "Plate 4: Four Salmon" is a meticulously detailed watercolor on vellum from the 16th century. Part of a larger series of natural studies, this illustration exemplifies Hoefnagel's mastery of miniature painting, evident in the lifelike portrayal of the salmon swimming in a subtly rendered aquatic setting. The artist's keen observation is evident in the accurate anatomical depiction of the fish, capturing their scales, fins, and even the ripples in the water around them. This small-scale work is a testament to the Dutch Renaissance interest in natural history and the beauty found in the everyday world.