Herman Henstenburgh
1667 - 1726
A Grape Vine Branch with Moths in Pupa, Larva and Adult Form
Medium:
Gouache on Vellum
Category:
Dimensions:
22.6(h) x 22.4(w) cms
Framed Dimensions:
45(h) x 37(w) cms
Signed:
Signed 'H:HB.fec=.' lower Left
Essay:
Henstenburgh was born in Hoorn and at a very early age showed a remarkable ability at draughtsmanship. He became a pupil of Johannes Bronckhorst whose own works greatly influenced the young painter. These two artists, as well as Henstenburgh's son Anton, defined Dutch natural history painted in the period around 1700. All three also famously followed parallel careers as pastry chefs.
Henstenburgh's speciality was the very minute detail in drawing of insects, flowers and small animals. Often, these were organised into a still-life composition and he regularly painted on vellum. He appears to have executed some oils but most of his work was in watercolour and gouache.
We know that in his own lifetime Henstenburgh was much appreciated and his pictures commanded high prices.
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Henstenburgh has illustrated the larva, pupa, and adult male and female life stages of a species of moth. The larva is particularly striking with its horn and distinctive eye-like markings. It has been drawn on a grape vine and could perhaps be the larva of Hippotion celerio, the vine hawk moth. The adults are a mixture in colouring of ochre and pinks. The species could also be Deilephila elpenor, the elephant hawk moth. The adults have intense pink colouring and the males have black areas on their hindwings which matches Henstenburgh's description.
Provenance:
Private Collection, UK.
Private Collection, Spain.