Plate 12: Two Views of a Butterfly (Silver-Bordered Fritillary?) and a Mole Cricket c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel created this watercolor and gouache on vellum titled "Two Views of a Butterfly and a Mole Cricket" around 1575-1590. This work reflects the 16th-century fascination with the natural world, fueled by exploration and the rise of scientific inquiry. But it wasn't science as we know it. Collecting, cataloging, and illustrating specimens was a status symbol among the European elite. Hoefnagel, working in the Habsburg court, catered to this demand, creating exquisite, scientifically accurate depictions. The cultural context of this image lies in the patronage system, where artists depended on wealthy individuals and institutions. Art, then, wasn't just about aesthetics; it was a commodity, a display of knowledge, and a tool for social advancement. To understand this image fully, we can research the Habsburg court, the history of scientific illustration, and the social role of natural history collections. Art, after all, is always shaped by its time.