Plate 14: A "Sea Ape," Two Scorpion Fish, and Two Other Fish c. 1575 - 1580

This is "Plate 14: A "Sea Ape," Two Scorpion Fish, and Two Other Fish," made around 1600 by Joris Hoefnagel. It's a watercolor and gouache on paper. Here, the artist rendered his marine life subjects with a kind of scientific precision, but also with a clear appreciation for their inherent beauty. The texture of the creatures’ skin is carefully delineated, achieved through the subtle layering of pigment. The colors, though muted, are vibrant. The artist has deployed traditional tools in an exacting way, but for purposes that depart from the traditions of ‘high art.’ Consider the social context: at this time, the scientific revolution was underway, and the natural world was subject to new forms of scrutiny. Hoefnagel was contributing to this project, and his skills as an artist made him an important visual communicator. His images speak of a period when art and science were very much intertwined, both contributing to a shared understanding of the world.