Plate 7: Four Birds of Prey on a Wooden Frame

Joris Hoefnagel

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of four birds perched on a wooden stand. The painting depicts the birds with varying plumages, sitting on the wooden structure in a grassy area with some foliage. To the left of the birds, there is a flowering plant with thin green leaves and red flowers. The birds are illustrated in great detail, with distinct markings and textures on their feathers, showcasing realistic coloration and intricate features. Each bird is numbered above its head. The style might imply that the artist was influenced by traditional bird studies common in earlier botanical and zoological illustrations.