A Grasshopper and a Bee

Anonymous, Dutch, 17th century Dutch
Formerly attributed to Anonymous, Netherlandish, 16th century Netherlandish
Formerly attributed to Joris Hoefnagel Netherlandish

Not on view

This Dutch drawing, likely made in the seventeenth century, illustrates a new interest in observing and documenting insects, which were deemed unworthy of serious study in previous periods. The shadows cast by these organisms express realism, though the illusion is complicated by the insects’ varied positions: the bee was captured from above, while the grasshopper is seen from the side.

A Grasshopper and a Bee, Anonymous, Dutch, 17th century ?, Pen and black ink, gray wash, gouache, and watercolor

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