Plate 26: A Red Fox and a Wolf c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel created this watercolor and gouache painting, *Plate 26: A Red Fox and a Wolf*, in the late 16th century. During the late Renaissance, Northern European artists like Hoefnagel showed an increased interest in the natural world, but through the lens of moralizing emblem books. This painting, with its meticulous detail and Latin inscriptions, reflects the cultural values of its time. The fox and wolf are not merely animals; they are symbols laden with meaning. The inscriptions above and below the animals add layers of interpretation, warning the viewer not to be deceived by appearances. Wolves and foxes, as predators, might represent the dangers lurking beneath a veneer of civility or piety. The emotional impact of this image comes from its unsettling message: that deceit can be hidden, and that those who appear harmless may harbor dangerous intentions. The painting speaks to the human condition, and our ability to deceive, and the necessity of discernment in a complex world.