Plate 67: Two Doves beneath a Gourd and Apples c. 1575 - 1580

"Plate 67: Two Doves Beneath a Gourd and Apples" is a miniature watercolor on vellum, created by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel around 1575-1580. It is part of his famous "Book of Animals" and depicts two doves perched on a branch beneath a gourd and apples, with smaller birds in the background. The precise, detailed style and vibrant colors of the painting are characteristic of Hoefnagel's work, which contributed significantly to the development of the genre of natural history illustration. The inscription in Latin below the image describes the behavior of the doves, reflecting the scientific and pedagogical aspects of the work.