Plate 22: Two White Pelicans with a Sycamore Fig

Joris Hoefnagel

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of two pelicans near water. The painting shows a large white pelican standing on a small mound of yellow sand surrounded by water, with another pelican in the background resting with its head tucked under its wing while floating on the water. A branch with green leaves and round fruit or growths is depicted to the right of the birds. The background is plain. The painting is enclosed within a circular border, with the roman numeral "XXII" on the right side. The style of the painting is similar to that of John James Audubon.