Plate 1: Two Ostriches and a Starling c. 1575 - 1580

This is Plate 1: Two Ostriches and a Starling, made by Joris Hoefnagel around 1575-1600, using watercolor, gouache, and ink on vellum. Here, the artist skillfully uses these materials to bring a naturalistic quality to the animals portrayed. The watercolor creates a delicate, almost translucent effect, particularly noticeable in the subtle shading of the ostriches' feathers. The gouache adds opacity, allowing for precise details. The choice of vellum, a parchment made from animal skin, is significant. Its smooth surface enhances the vibrancy of the colors, and speaks to a time when the artist relied on skilled craftsmanship. The detailed technique and painstaking labor involved in this artwork contrast sharply with today's mass production methods, offering a glimpse into a world where the value of an object was deeply connected to the time and skill invested in its making. The careful rendering of each animal is also a testament to the artist's skill, achieved through careful observation and a mastery of his materials. Hoefnagel elevates the natural world through the application of skilled labor.