Plate 32: A Green-Winged Teal, a Juvenile Green Woodpecker, and Two Other Birds c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel painted this watercolor and gouache of birds on paper. The birds here aren't merely representations of nature; they are laden with symbolic weight. Consider the motif of the avian form. Birds have long symbolized the soul's journey, messages from the divine, or even freedom, appearing in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and Renaissance allegories. Here, the array of birds—from the Green-Winged Teal to the Juvenile Green Woodpecker—presents a microcosm of the natural world, but also a reflection of humanity's own aspirations and fears. The text surrounding these birds, drawn from religious texts, suggests that even the creatures of the air bear witness to our deeds and thoughts. It's a reminder that we are observed, judged, and connected to the world, and that our actions resonate far beyond our immediate perception.