Plate 14: Spoonbill Crane and Flamingo c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel's "Plate 14: Spoonbill Crane and Flamingo" from around 1575-1580 is a detailed, illustrative portrayal of a spoonbill crane and a flamingo in an oval frame against a light background. The meticulous attention to detail in the birds' feathers, beaks, and legs, along with the surrounding flora, highlights Hoefnagel's mastery of naturalism. This plate, part of a larger collection of meticulously rendered animal and plant studies, is considered a prime example of the 16th-century tradition of "natural history" illustration, showcasing the beauty and wonder of the natural world.