Bugs and Critters: Symbolic and Trompe l'Oeil Insects in Art History
A feature in DailyArt Magazine explores the representation of insects and reptiles in Western art, showcasing ten significant pieces. These range from Caravaggio's 'Boy Bitten by a Lizard' (1593–1594, National Gallery, London) to Ingres's 'Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne' (1806, Army Museum, Paris). The work 'Virgin and Child with a Dragonfly' by the Master of Saint Giles (c. 1500, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) represents Satan. Salvador Dalí's 'The Persistence of Memory' (1931, Museum of Modern Art, New York) conveys the theme of decay through ants. Ingres's depiction of Napoleon includes a honey bee. Additional noteworthy pieces are Frida Kahlo's 'Self-Portrait with Bonito' (1941, private collection) and Jan Davidsz. de Heem's 'Vase of Flowers' (c. 1660, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.).
Key facts
- Caravaggio's 'Boy Bitten by a Lizard' (1593–1594) is held at the National Gallery, London.
- Master of Saint Giles's 'Virgin and Child with a Dragonfly' (c. 1500) is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
- Salvador Dalí's 'The Persistence of Memory' (1931) is at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
- The anonymous 'Portrait of a Woman of the Hofer Family' (1470) is at the National Gallery, London.
- François Gérard's 'Psyche and Cupid' (1797) is at the Louvre, Paris.
- Master of Frankfurt's 'Self-Portrait of the Artist with his Wife' (1496) is at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp.
- Frida Kahlo's 'Self-Portrait with Bonito' (1941) is in a private collection.
- Jan Davidsz. de Heem's 'Vase of Flowers' (c. 1660) is at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
- Petrus Christus's 'Portrait of a Carthusian' (1446) is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
- Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres's 'Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne' (1806) is at the Army Museum, Paris.
Entities
Artists
- Caravaggio
- Master of Saint Giles
- Salvador Dalí
- François Gérard
- Master of Frankfurt
- Frida Kahlo
- Jan Davidsz. de Heem
- Petrus Christus
- Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
Institutions
- National Gallery, London
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Museum of Modern Art
- Louvre
- Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp
- National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
- Army Museum, Paris
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York City
- United States
- Paris
- France
- Antwerp
- Belgium
- Washington, D.C.
- Swabia
- Germany