Plate 28: Barnacle Goose with Shrikes and Other Birds c. 1575 - 1580

"Plate 28: Barnacle Goose with Shrikes and Other Birds" is a watercolor painting on vellum by Joris Hoefnagel. Created sometime between 1575 and 1580, this work is one of many in Hoefnagel's renowned series "The Archetypes of Nature". The meticulously detailed painting showcases the artist's mastery of naturalism, with a Barnacle Goose, shrikes, and other birds depicted with scientific accuracy. Hoefnagel's work was highly influential, inspiring naturalists and artists alike with its unparalleled precision and vibrant colors. The oval composition emphasizes the delicate beauty of the birds against a backdrop of a rocky shore and a calm sea. This painting is a testament to the artist's talent and the enduring allure of the natural world.