Renaissance artist Joris Hoefnagel captured the beauty of nature in The Four Elements. Get free downloads of his remarkable 16th-century illustrations!
If you love detailed nature illustrations with a touch of old-world charm, you’re in for a treat! I’m sharing a collection of stunning prints from The Four Elements, a masterpiece by the talented 16th-century artist Joris Hoefnagel.
You may already be familiar with Hoefnagel’s work from my previous posts on his insect art prints and illuminated calligraphy letters. But this time, I’m diving into something even more fascinating: his breathtaking illustrations of animals, insects, birds, and sea creatures, all categorised into the four classical elements: Fire, Earth, Water, and Air.
Who Was Joris Hoefnagel?
Joris Hoefnagel (1542–1601) was a Flemish artist best known for his highly detailed nature illustrations, maps, and illuminated manuscripts. He was a pioneer in the world of scientific illustration, blending artistic beauty with scientific accuracy—a rare combination at the time! His works influenced later artists, particularly in botanical and zoological art.
Hoefnagel’s eye for detail was unparalleled. Whether he was illustrating delicate insects, vibrant plants, or exotic animals, his work captured the natural world with breathtaking precision. He often paired his illustrations with handwritten text, making his work visually stunning and historically significant.
Why This Work Is Special
The Four Elements stand out because they blend scientific observation and artistic imagination.
His work also reflects Renaissance curiosity about nature, where art and science were closely intertwined. These illustrations weren’t just for decoration; they were educational and used to document and understand the world before photography existed.
Exploring The Four Elements
I’ve grouped a sample of prints from the collection according to Hoefnagel’s Four Elements. Click on the title above the nature print you want, and a high-resolution image will open in a new tab. From there, you can save or print it as you like.
Since these illustrations are now in the public domain, you can download and use them however you wish—whether for home decor, creative projects, or to appreciate their beauty.
Fire (Ignis) – Animalia Rationalia et Insecta
This section represents the element of fire, featuring creatures associated with warmth and transformation. The lineup includes humans, insects, and mythical fire-linked beasts, reflecting the belief that rational beings and small, industrious creatures had an affinity with fire’s energy.

Print 1: Blue Underwing Moth and Spurge Hawk Moth
You’ll find more moths in this collection of vintage entomology prints on the blog.

Print 2: Three Butterflies, a Caterpillar, a Bee, Two Chrysalides, and Three Weevils.
There are many more beautiful vintage butterfly prints on Pictureboxblue.

Print 3: Petrus Gonsalvus and his wife, Catherine
Plate I of Joris Hoefnagel’s Animalia Rationalia et Insecta (Ignis), part of his renowned Four Elements series, features a portrait of Petrus Gonsalvus and his wife, Catherine. Born in 1537,
Petrus Gonsalvus was a native of Tenerife who became famous in European courts due to his hypertrichosis, which caused excessive hair growth over his body. This rare condition led to his association with the “wild man” archetype prevalent in medieval and Renaissance folklore.

Print 4: Petrus Gonsalvus’s children

A tarantula wolfspider, and three other spiders. Check out the other vintage spider illustrations on Pictureboxblue.

Jewel Beetle with a Rosary Pea and a Flower.

Print 7: Mantis, Mayfly, and a Fictional Locust
The inscription “PRIVS LOCVSTA BOVEM” (“Sooner will a locust give birth to a cow”) references an adage from Erasmus, highlighting the era’s blend of art, literature, and natural observation.


Print 9: Hairy Dragonfly and Two Darters
Check out the collection of dragonfly illustrations on Pictureboxblue.

Lackey Moth Caterpillar, Figure of Eight Caterpillar, Grey Dagger Caterpillar, and Other Caterpillars.

Earth (Terra) – Animalia Quadrupedia et Reptilia
The Earth element is dedicated to land-dwelling creatures, including mammals, reptiles, and other quadrupeds. These animals represent stability, strength, and endurance, traditionally linked to the earth.

Print 11: Elephant with Insects
This is the first plate in the Earth element, an illustration of an elephant. Which symbolises strength, stability, and endurance—perfectly fitting for the Earth element.
Interestingly, Hoefnagel often juxtaposed large animals with small creatures like insects, emphasising the vast diversity of land-dwelling life. This contrast may also reflect Renaissance curiosity about scale, nature’s interconnectedness, and the idea that even the tiniest creatures were just as worthy of artistic study as the grandest beasts.

Print 12: Lion and a Civet Cat

Print 13: A Tiger, Lynx and Jaguar
Check out this collection of vintage tiger drawings on Pictureboxblue.com.


You’ll find more prints of stags in this collection of vintage reindeer drawings.

Print 16: A Red Fox and A Wolf

Print 17: Two Giraffes with an Attendant
There are many more vintage giraffe drawings on Pictureboxblue.

Print 18: Two Small Dogs with a Crown Imperial
The inscription on this plate of Joris Hoefnagel’s Animalia Quadrupedia et Reptilia (Terra), part of his Four Elements series”LVPVS LVPINA[M] NON-EST NEC CANIS CANINAM.” translates to “The wolf does not belong to the wolf tribe, nor the dog to the dog tribe.”
A Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) is a tall, striking plant from the Lily family. It is known for its drooping bell-shaped orange, red, or yellow flowers, topped with a leafy crown. It has a musky scent that repels pests and symbolises nobility and power in art.

Print 19: Two Monkeys and A Sloth

Print 20: Armasdillos and a Marmoset
Two Types of Armadillos with a Marmoset, a Coconut Palm, and a Pepper Plant

Print 21: Camel, Ibex and Goat

Print 22: A Hare, “Jackalope,” a Rabbit, and a Spotted Squirrel
The Terra Plate of Joris Hoefnagel’s Four Elements series features a hare, a “jackalope” (a mythical creature with the body of a hare and antelope horns), a rabbit, and a spotted squirrel. The “jackalope” reflects the Renaissance fascination with real and mythical creatures.
This collection of woodland animal prints includes vintage rabbit illustrations and squirrel drawings.

Print 23: Crocodiles and Hippopotamus
A Crocodile, a Hippopotamus, a Land Crocodile or Tegu Lizard, and a Crocodile or Spiny-Tailed Lizard with a Papyrus Plant.

Two Common or Mediterranean Chameleons above San Sebastián, Spain.

Print 25: Turtles and Tortoise
A Hermann’s or Greek Tortoise, Two European Pond Turtles, and Two Fritillaria.
Turtles are aquatic, with streamlined shells and webbed feet for swimming, while tortoises are land-dwellers with domed shells and sturdy legs for walking. Turtles are omnivores, while tortoises mainly eat plants. Tortoises generally live longer, often over 100 years, whereas turtles have shorter lifespans, though some sea turtles can reach 50-80 years.

Print 26: Two Otters and a Beaver

Joris Hoefnagel classified snails under the Earth (Terra) element in his Animalia Quadrupedia et Reptilia (Terra) volume rather than the Water (Aqua) element. This categorisation may seem surprising, as many snails are associated with moist environments. Still, it aligns with Renaissance-era classification systems, which often grouped land-dwelling molluscs alongside quadrupeds and reptiles rather than strictly aquatic creatures.

Water (Aqua) – Animalia Aquatilia et Conchiliata
The Water element features marine life, molluscs, and amphibious creatures, reflecting the mysteries of the ocean and freshwater habitats. From fish and crabs to shells, Hoefnagel captures these creatures’ movement and delicate structures with remarkable precision. This collection highlights the Renaissance fascination with the sea, a vast and largely uncharted world.


A Swordfish and Three Other Fish.

Print 30: Stingrays and Angel Fish
Two Stingrays, an Anglerfish, a Monkfish and an Angel Shark.
Louis Renard’s paintings are a must if you are looking for more vibrant and fantastical fish prints.

Print 31: A “Sea Ape,” Two Scorpion Fish, and Two Other Fish

Print 32: Sperm Whale, Sturgeon, Shark, and Other Fish
A sperm whale is drawing in the collection of vintage whale prints on Pictureboxblue.

Print 33: Flying Gurnard & Lumpsucker
Flying Swallow Gurnard, Male Lumpsucker, Longspine Snipefish, and Other Fish

Print 34: Gurnards, Dragonets, and Other Fish

Homelyn Ray and Four Other Rays or Skates.

Print 36: A Walrus, a Nine-Legged Octopus, and Ocean Sunfish
Sunfish are some of the strangest-looking fish in the ocean, with their flattened, disc-like bodies and tiny fins making them look like a giant floating head.
The ocean sunfish (Mola mola) is the heaviest bony fish in the world, sometimes reaching over 2,000 kg (4,400 lbs). Despite their massive size, they are gentle giants, drifting with ocean currents and feeding mainly on jellyfish. Known for their odd, slow-moving nature, sunfish are often seen basking near the surface, possibly to warm up after deep dives.
There is a collection of vintage octopus illustrations on Pictureboxblue.

Print 37: Lobster, Two Crabs, Scallop Shells, and Other Sea Life
If you like this print, you should check out Adolphe Millot’s fantastic sealife posters.


Check out these vintage shell posters and beautiful Japanese seashell prints if you want more shell illustrations.

Print 40: An Argonaut, Squid, Hermit Crabs, Shells, and a Crab
An Argonaut, or paper nautilus, is a pelagic octopus known for its thin, shell-like structure, created only by females to protect their eggs and aid in floating. Unlike true nautiluses, they are open ocean dwellers and move using jet propulsion. Named after the Greek Argonauts, they are one of the ocean’s most unique octopuses.

Print 41: Sea Cucumbers, Coral, Octopus, Starfish, Squid, and Other Sea Creatures
The blog has some excellent colour vintage prints of Great Barrier Reef coral.

Print 42: Boarfish, Razorfish, Butterfish, a John Dory, and Other Fish

Air (Aier) – Animalia Volatilia et Amphibia
The Air element concerns creatures that move through the sky or between land and air. These include birds, bats, and amphibians, often associated with freedom, ascension, and adaptability.

Two Ostriches and a Starling. There is a collection of vintage ostrich prints on the blog.

Print 44: Gray Crowned Crane and Helmeted Curassow
Gray Crowned Crane: Recognisable by its striking golden crown of feathers, this bird is native to eastern and southern Africa.
Helmeted Curassow: Distinguished by the prominent casque atop its beak, this species is found in the rainforests of South America.

Print 45: Spoonbill Crane and Flamingo
Did you know that a group of flamingos is called a flamboyance? That’s a delightful and fitting name for these elegant, colourful birds!
You can find a whole series of vintage flamingo prints on the blog.

Gray Heron and Purple Heron with a sunflower. There is a fantastic collection of vintage Heron illustrations on the blog.

Print 47: Swamp Hen and Woodcock
Swamp Hen and Woodcock with a Streaked Rosefinch, a Finch, and Oak Galls.

Two White Pelicans with a Sycamore Fig. There is a collection of Pelican prints on the blog.

Two Swans, a Kingfisher, and a Bullfinch.

Two Gray Geese with Songbirds in a Cherry Tree.

Print 51: Sandpipers and Other Shore Birds

Print 52: Bats, Quail, and Oystercatcher
There is a collection of vintage bat drawings on the blog.

A hooded falcon and its wild counterpart.

A Tawny Owl, an Eagle Owl, and two other owls. There is a collection of vintage owl prints on Pictureboxblue.

Barn Owls with a mouse and an Eagle Owl.

African Gray Parrot, an Indian Ring-Necked Parrot, and a third parrot. Check out Edward Lear’s famous parrot paintings for more fantastic parrot prints.

Print 57: Scarlet Macaw with Two Smaller Green Parrots

The Timeless Beauty of Hoefnagel’s Four Elements
Joris Hoefnagel’s Four Elements is a remarkable fusion of science and art, capturing the diverse beauty of the natural world through his illustrations. His ability to blend realistic detail with Renaissance curiosity makes these prints not just historical artefacts but enduring works of art that continue to inspire. Whether it’s the delicate insects of Fire, the sturdy mammals of Earth, the flowing marine life of Water, or the graceful birds of Air, Hoefnagel’s work offers a fascinating glimpse into how nature was observed and celebrated in the 16th century.
If you’ve enjoyed exploring these stunning vintage illustrations, you might love other historical nature prints featured on Picture Box Blue. Here are some related posts you may want to check out:
- Oliver Goldsmith’s Vintage Nature Posters – A beautiful collection of botanical and wildlife posters, perfect for home decor or creative projects.
- Animal Posters from Larousse Dictionaries—This stunning series of vintage animal illustrations, initially created for Larousse dictionaries, showcases wildlife in a classic educational style.
- Charles Dessalines D’ Orbigny’s Vintage Animal Prints – A treasure trove of animal illustrations from the Dictionnaire Universel D’histoire Naturelle.
- Natural History Posters by Adolphe Millot – Featuring the work of Adolphe Millot, this collection presents intricate natural history illustrations, covering everything from birds and mammals to fish and insects.

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Saturday 15th of February 2025
I appreciate the time you took to craft this post.
claire
Sunday 16th of February 2025
Thank you.
clare hamel
Monday 3rd of February 2025
These are fabulously wonderful images. Thank you for sharing
claire
Tuesday 4th of February 2025
Thank you, glad you enjoyed them. They are a favourite of mine.