Plate 71: Two Wasps and a Pill Bug c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel created "Plate 71: Two Wasps and a Pill Bug" during a time of burgeoning scientific inquiry. It reflects the intersection of art and science characteristic of the late 16th century. Hoefnagel, positioned within the Habsburg court, contributed to a visual culture that often served both aesthetic and scientific purposes. His detailed renderings of insects, set against an oval backdrop, mirrors the era's fascination with natural history and classification. Here, the artist meticulously captures the textures and forms of wasps and a pill bug, granting these small creatures a sense of monumentality. However, the image also resonates with broader themes of identity and marginalization. Insects, often overlooked or dismissed, become the subjects of careful observation. In a way, this elevates the representation of the overlooked. The Latin inscription, "Infixo spiculo fugit" or "It flees with the sting implanted," suggests an emotional or experiential narrative, as each creature, and each of us, carries our own defenses. Ultimately, Hoefnagel's work invites reflection on the value and significance of all forms of life, and the emotional stakes that are often unseen.