Plate 55: Aquatic Insects and Invertebrates, Including a Snail

Joris Hoefnagel

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of several aquatic life forms including insects and a snail. Seven different creatures are depicted against a light blue watery background. The style is akin to that of a naturalist artist, focusing on botanical or zoological accuracy. The delicate lines and detailed rendering of each creature highlight the study of their forms and textures, presented within an oval shape on an off-white background.