Ostrich (Struthio camelus)

attributed to Joris Hoefnagel (1542–1600) or Anselmus de Boodt (1550–1632), pen and brown ink, watercolour and bodycolour, 1596–1600

The Historia Naturalis aimed to give a reliable ‘scientific’ image for each subject. Yet some illustrations have a lively, humorous air that sets them apart from earlier zoological models. This comical ostrich, with its twisted neck and perplexed expression, has been tentatively attributed to fellow court artist Joris Hoefnagel, who painted the same motif in the background of two other watercolours once in Rudolph’s collection.

  • Artwork typedrawing
  • Object numberRP-T-BR-2017-1-3-38
  • Dimensionsheight 353 mm x width 152 mm
  • Physical characteristicspenseel in waterverf en dekverf in kleuren, gehoogd met witte dekverf, potlood, pen in bruin