He Painted Bugs Like Jewels — And Changed Science

7min watch
When you see a bug crawling around, do you ever stop to look at it? Like, really look at it? Do you notice how the light shines off its back, or how its wings catch the sun? In this video, Nerdwriter and the National Gallery of Art put the work of 16th-century artist Joris Hoefnagel under a magnifying glass. He did look at bugs that closely, and his depictions of insects and other little beasts fused art and science in groundbreaking ways. At a time when bugs were mostly feared or ignored, Hoefnagel's exquisite paintings and drawings invited wonder, and helped change the course of scientific illustration.
Discover more

Video: Look Closer: The Art of Devotion
Explore powerful stories of devotion, love, and artistic passion through iconic works of art—from religious masterpieces to revolutionary portraits.

Video: Print Like a Great: Elizabeth Catlett
What happens when legacy, artistry, and womanhood collide? LaToya Hobbs creates a stunning woodcut portrait of Naima Mora, inspired by the life and work of legendary printmaker Elizabeth Catlett—Naima’s own grandmother.

Video: How This Photographer Used Selfies To Explore Layers Of Identity
Video essayist Nerdwriter helps us explore the extraordinary work of photographer Tseng Kwong Chi, whose iconic East Meets West series blends self-portraiture, performance, and satire.