Plate 46: Three Grasshoppers c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel made this watercolor and gouache painting, Three Grasshoppers, around 1575-1600. Look closely, and you'll see that this isn't just a quick sketch, but a meticulous study. Hoefnagel’s artistry is evident in the fine brushwork, using thin layers of pigment to capture the insect’s delicate structure. Each grasshopper is rendered with incredible detail, showcasing the artist's mastery of observation and painting technique. The colors appear vibrant, and the lines are sharp, suggesting that Hoefnagel prepared his own paints with precision, grinding pigments and mixing them with a binder to achieve the desired consistency and hue. The craftmanship evident in Three Grasshoppers elevates it beyond a mere scientific illustration, showing the value of meticulous making in understanding the world around us.