Red Beetle 1705 - 1771

"Red Beetle" is an anonymous watercolor on paper created sometime between 1705 and 1771. The artwork, now located at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, features a detailed depiction of a vibrant red beetle with its wings outstretched, alongside a white flower, a green vine, and two white caterpillars. The meticulous detail and realistic rendering of the insects and flora suggest a scientific interest in observation and documentation. The artist's use of watercolor creates a delicate and translucent quality, enhancing the natural beauty of the subject.