Plate 47: Shore Birds with a Perching Bird c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel’s “Plate 47: Shore Birds with a Perching Bird,” created around 1575-1580, is a meticulously detailed watercolor and gouache painting of various bird species. Part of a larger series, this plate showcases Hoefnagel’s mastery of naturalism, capturing the subtle nuances of feathers, beaks, and postures with precision. The birds, arranged in a picturesque landscape, are meticulously rendered, highlighting Hoefnagel’s keen eye for detail and his interest in the natural world. This work is a testament to the Renaissance fascination with scientific observation and the artistic representation of natural phenomena, a popular genre known as natural history art.