Plate 43: Fifteen Fish c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel made this watercolor and gouache illustration, Fifteen Fish, on paper sometime in the late 16th century. Hoefnagel was a Flemish artist known for his detailed naturalistic illustrations. Here, he has arranged a collection of fish specimens within an oval border, as if displayed in a collector's cabinet. The technique emphasizes meticulous observation and rendering. Hoefnagel would have built up the image slowly, through layering thin washes of watercolor to capture the subtle gradations of color and texture on each fish. He then added details with opaque gouache to describe their scales, fins, and other features. The work invites us to consider the relationship between art, science, and commerce in the early modern period. Such illustrations were not merely aesthetic objects; they served as visual records of the natural world, fueling the growing market for natural history books and scientific knowledge. The amount of labor involved in the production is a testament to the value placed on both accuracy and artistry. Ultimately, the image reminds us that the history of art is intertwined with the history of science, exploration, and the commodification of the natural world.