Plate 65: A Cricket Surrounded by Insects, Including a Ruby-Tailed Wasp c. 1575 - 1580

"Plate 65: A Cricket Surrounded by Insects, Including a Ruby-Tailed Wasp," is a meticulously detailed watercolor by Joris Hoefnagel, a renowned Flemish artist known for his miniature paintings and natural history illustrations. Created between 1575 and 1580, this work showcases Hoefnagel's mastery of capturing the intricacies of insects. The central cricket, surrounded by a variety of flies, beetles, and wasps, is depicted with remarkable accuracy, highlighting the artist's keen observation and scientific approach. Hoefnagel's work demonstrates the burgeoning interest in naturalism during the Renaissance. The Latin inscriptions accompanying the illustration provide a glimpse into the scientific knowledge of the time.