Plate 40: Eight Spiders, Including a Cross Spider, with an Egg Sac by Joris Hoefnagel

Plate 40: Eight Spiders, Including a Cross Spider, with an Egg Sac c. 1575 - 1580

jorishoefnagel

drawing

aged paper

toned paper

light pencil work

pencil sketch

curved letter used

personal sketchbook

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

botanical art

watercolor

"Plate 40: Eight Spiders, Including a Cross Spider, with an Egg Sac," is a meticulously rendered illustration of various spider species, including a "cross spider" with an egg sac, by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel, c. 1575-1580. This detailed watercolour on vellum is characteristic of Hoefnagel's renowned miniature art, showcasing the intricate details of each spider, their postures, and the subtle variations in their coloration and leg patterns. This work was likely part of a larger natural history folio, highlighting Hoefnagel's expertise in scientific illustration.