Moements with Joris (Georg) Hoefnagel (1542-1601)
Illumination from Mira calligraphiae monumenta
(The Model Book of Calligraphy) by Georg Bocksay

Mira calligraphiae monumenta is a 16th century calligraphy manuscript created by Georg Bocskay, between 1561 and 1562 to record all types of calligraphy; each page highlighting a new style of script. Bocskay was the imperial secretary to the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I. 30 years later, Ferdinand’s grandson, the Emperor Rudolph II commissioned Joris (Georg) Hoefnagel (1542-1601), court artist and a renowned Flemish manuscript illuminator to enhance the original work. Hoefnagel enlivened his flower pieces with insects and attention to detail typical of his nature studies. His accurate images of nature greatly influenced the development of Flemish still life painting, in particular, floral still life.

It is hard to believe the design and harmony of Bocskay’s script with Hoefnagel’s illumination of flora and fauna wasn’t a collaboration between the two artists but was accomplished some decades apart.