Plate 45: Two Long-Headed Grasshoppers(?) c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel created this watercolour and gouache of two grasshoppers sometime in the late 16th century. The composition is striking in its simplicity: two insects are carefully rendered, encased within a delicate, almost ethereal, circular border. Hoefnagel's technique invites us to consider the natural world not just as a subject, but as a study in form and texture. The artist employs meticulous detail to capture the grasshoppers’ segmented bodies. Notice how the subtle shifts in hue and shadow define the three-dimensional volume of the insects. This work reflects the emerging scientific curiosity of the Renaissance. Each element, from the positioning of the insects to the controlled palette, serves to dissect and present the specimens for observation. It's as if Hoefnagel uses the language of art to engage in a dialogue about perception and knowledge. The simple circle contains complex ideas about the natural world, rendered with scientific observation.