Plate 35: Female Green-Winged Teal, Red-Breasted Merganser(?), Sparrow, and a Greenfinch(?) c. 1575 - 1580

"Plate 35: Female Green-Winged Teal, Red-Breasted Merganser(?), Sparrow, and a Greenfinch(?)" is a watercolor painting by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel, executed around 1575-1580. This detailed miniature, part of a larger series, showcases Hoefnagel's mastery of naturalism. It depicts a diverse array of birds, including a teal, a merganser, a sparrow, and a greenfinch, all rendered with remarkable accuracy and vivid coloration. The composition is carefully arranged within an oval frame, emphasizing the delicate details of each species. Hoefnagel's work was highly prized for its scientific precision and artistic beauty, making him a leading figure in the development of natural history illustration during the Renaissance.