Plate 66: Doves and Pigeons c. 1575 - 1580

Here we see "Plate 66: Doves and Pigeons," a delicate watercolor and gouache, likely made around the late 16th century by Joris Hoefnagel. Hoefnagel was part of a generation deeply influenced by the rediscovery of the natural world, a world increasingly impacted by the burgeoning forces of global trade and colonization. The image presents an array of doves and pigeons perched on branches and rooftops, framed within an oval. The Latin inscriptions, with phrases like "concordia" and references to Psalm 54, suggest themes of harmony and refuge, perhaps reflecting the artist's personal longing for peace in a tumultuous era marked by religious conflict and social upheaval. Consider the symbolism of birds at this time. Were they simply representations of nature, or did they carry deeper meanings related to freedom, spirituality, or even the exotic allure of faraway lands brought closer by expanding trade routes? This image invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between the human desire for order and the untamable beauty of the natural world, a tension that continues to shape our understanding of identity and belonging today.