Plate 6: Five Catfish and Sturgeon(?)

Joris Hoefnagel

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of various sea creatures in an oval composition. The image shows five different aquatic animals with distinct shapes and features swimming together in a body of water. The creatures exhibit detailed physical characteristics such as fins, scales, and spines along their backs. Each fish appears to be labeled by number. The water is rendered with subtle shading and texture, providing a sense of movement and depth within the confined space of the oval. The coloration and linework give the drawing a naturalistic and antique aesthetic.