Plate 9: Two Pheasants with Fruiting Plants c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel rendered these two pheasants with fruiting plants on this page with meticulous detail. In Western art, birds often symbolize the soul, and fruit-bearing trees suggest abundance and paradise. Consider how the pheasant, proudly standing, contrasts with the one drinking, its head bowed in humility. This juxtaposition of pride and humility has roots in ancient Christian iconography, mirroring the duality of human nature, torn between earthly desires and spiritual aspirations. The image of drinking from water, a symbol of purification and renewal, evokes the baptismal rite. Think of earlier works where deer drink from streams, symbolizing souls seeking spiritual sustenance. This image, charged with cultural memory, engages the viewer on a subconscious level, stirring emotions tied to faith, redemption, and the cyclical journey of life. The image resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings as it’s recontextualized across time and space.