Plate 18: Two Butterflies and a Moth with a Dragonfly, Two Ants, and Four Other Insects c. 1575 - 1580

"Plate 18: Two Butterflies and a Moth with a Dragonfly, Two Ants, and Four Other Insects" is a watercolor on vellum by Flemish artist Joris Hoefnagel, created around 1575-1580. This highly detailed illustration showcases Hoefnagel’s mastery of naturalism, capturing the intricate anatomy of various insects with remarkable accuracy. A dragonfly, a moth, and two butterflies are the central subjects, surrounded by a beetle, a fly, and ants, demonstrating Hoefnagel's interest in the natural world. The piece is part of a larger series, a testament to the flourishing of scientific illustration during the Renaissance.