Two goldfinches 

"Two Goldfinches" is a watercolor painting by J.H. van Loon, a Dutch artist active in the early 18th century. The artwork, which is housed in the Städel Museum, showcases two goldfinches perched on a thin branch. The artist’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the realistic depiction of the birds' plumage, from the bright yellow wing patches to the delicate black and white markings on their tails. Van Loon’s mastery of watercolor techniques is particularly notable in the subtle shading that gives the birds' feathers a lifelike appearance. This piece reflects a long tradition of European bird illustration, where artists sought to capture the beauty and diversity of the natural world with scientific accuracy.