Kwak (Nycticorax nycticorax) 1596 - 1610

This watercolor painting, "Kwak (Nycticorax nycticorax)," was created by Elias Verhulst between 1596 and 1610. It depicts a detailed anatomical study of a Black-crowned Night Heron. The artwork captures the bird's plumage and physical features with precision and showcases Verhulst's mastery of naturalistic observation. This piece is a testament to the flourishing of scientific illustration during the Renaissance, where meticulous observation and artistic skill were combined to document the natural world.