A Groundhog or Marmot with a Branch of Plums 1605

Jacopo Ligozzi made this watercolor and gouache painting of a groundhog or marmot with a branch of plums sometime in the late 16th or early 17th century. Ligozzi was an Italian painter, known for his detailed botanical and zoological illustrations. During the Renaissance, the natural world became a source of both scientific inquiry and artistic inspiration. Ligozzi’s work reflects this era when artists sought to capture the intricate details of plants and animals. This interest in naturalism was intertwined with a broader cultural movement towards empirical observation. Paintings such as these, however, served another purpose, which was to reflect humans' place in the natural order. There is a subtle anthropocentrism in the careful rendering of the marmot, as if the animal is aware of being observed. Ligozzi's piece captures a moment of stillness. The marmot, perched on a rock, becomes a subject worthy of careful study. The plums add a touch of color, their ripeness echoing the era’s fascination with nature's bounty.