Plate 2: Sperm Whale, Sturgeon, Shark, and Other Fish c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel's "Plate 2: Sperm Whale, Sturgeon, Shark, and Other Fish" (c. 1575 - 1580) is a meticulous watercolor on vellum, displaying his remarkable skill in naturalism. It belongs to a larger series of illustrated plates, highlighting the diversity of marine life. The composition features a sperm whale, a sturgeon, a shark, and several other fish, all rendered with meticulous detail and an impressive understanding of their anatomy. The Latin inscriptions at the top and bottom of the image indicate that the work was likely intended for a scientific or scholarly audience, further illustrating the intersection of art and science during the Renaissance period.