Per tal variare Natura e bella 1592

"Per tal variare natura e bella" (To vary nature and beauty) is a plate from the 1592 "Museo" by Jacob Hoefnagel. This exquisitely detailed miniature watercolor painting showcases Hoefnagel's mastery in depicting nature. He creates a sense of realism and beauty through the use of delicate brushstrokes and rich colors. The plate features a carefully arranged composition of a poppy, a cornflower, walnuts, insects and butterflies. The inscription at the top of the image suggests that the plate was intended to be a visual celebration of the variety and beauty of the natural world, and the Latin inscription underneath references the fragility of nature. This work represents a shift from earlier depictions of nature, focusing on the intricacies and textures of the natural world rather than solely on scientific documentation. This intricate plate is a fine example of the Dutch Golden Age of miniature painting.