Plate 20: A Plover with Four Other Birds

Joris Hoefnagel

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of various birds in a natural setting. The work depicts a collection of birds within a circular vignette. There are five birds in total, including two larger terrestrial birds at the bottom with elongated necks and legs, and three smaller birds perched on a twisted branch that intertwines around them. The background shows dry foliage and a small body of water. The style hints at a classical natural history illustration, typical of works that combine scientific observation with artistic representation. The Latin text "PRVDENTIS IMITARE CHARADRIUM" is inscribed at the top of the image.