Plate 43: Fifteen Fish c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel's "Plate 43: Fifteen Fish" (c. 1575-1580) is a meticulous watercolor and gouache painting depicting a variety of fish species. The artwork's detailed, lifelike representations of the fish demonstrate Hoefnagel's mastery of naturalism and scientific observation. The painting's composition, with its oval frame and a single, shallow water surface, creates a sense of tranquility and order, highlighting the beauty and diversity of marine life. Hoefnagel's meticulous attention to detail, evident in the scales, fins, and colors of the fish, makes this piece a testament to his artistry and the flourishing of scientific illustration during the Renaissance.