Ruff (Calidris pugnax), Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt, 1596 - 1610
brush, h 184mm × w 253mm More details
De Boodt probably assembled his ‘three large books’ as followed: one for plants, one for animals and one for birds. The latter was apparently damaged (many of the bird studies have a loss at one corner), which may have prompted the 18th-century remounting campaign. Here the lower left corner is missing, but the ruff remained unaffected. His striking plumage does not flaunt, yet the colours and patterns of his feathers are still impressive.
