Plate 42: Jewel Beetle with a Plant Gall(?) and a Flower c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel created this watercolor and gouache drawing in the late 16th century. The composition is dominated by an oval frame that corrals a jewel beetle, a plant gall, and a flower. These elements, rendered with scientific precision, invite us into a world of minute detail. Hoefnagel's structured approach to this piece is fascinating. The careful arrangement and detailed execution point towards a specific way of viewing the natural world. We see nature categorized and presented in an almost taxonomic fashion, a common theme during the rise of empirical science. The vibrant colors and meticulous lines, however, elevate the study to something more. Consider the placement of the beetle, gall, and flower: each object is isolated, almost specimen-like, which imposes a structured order to the image. This order encourages us to contemplate the relationship between art and science during the period. The artwork reflects an emerging worldview that seeks to classify and understand the natural world through direct observation and representation.