Plate 57: Scarlet Macaw with Two Smaller Green Parrots 1576

This highly detailed watercolor painting by Joris Hoefnagel, created in 1576, showcases a Scarlet Macaw with two smaller green parrots, a testament to the artist's skill in capturing the intricate details of nature. The vibrant colors and realistic portrayal of the birds, perched on a branch within an oval frame, exemplify the precision and beauty of Hoefnagel's work, showcasing a fascination with the natural world that was characteristic of the late Renaissance. This piece is a part of Hoefnagel's larger collection of miniature paintings, showcasing his talents in natural history and botanical studies.