Plate 52: Blue Tit with Three Wading Birds and a Fig Tree

Joris Hoefnagel

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of four birds in a natural setting. The artwork depicts three birds with slender legs and elongated beaks standing on the ground near a small body of water, surrounded by various types of plants and greenery. Above them, another bird with blue and green plumage is perched on a branch, which is adorned with leaves and purple fruits. The scene is intricately detailed, showcasing a harmonious balance between the flora and fauna, all enclosed within an oval frame.