Hoefnagel's Medieval illumination of a manuscript - a butterfly, mushroom, and flower watercolor sketch Our butterfly image is based on a butterfly illustration from the medieval manuscript, "Mira calligraphiae monumenta" or "Model book of Calligraphy", this vintage butterfly and mushroom image shows a beautifully drawn butterfly, with its wings closed, sitting on top of an open red flower. Underneath of both sits an upside-down mushroom. All beautifully rendered in pen and ink and watercolor. The beautiful butterfly and mushroom illustration was created by medieval nature illustrator Joris Hoefnagel (Flemish and Hungarian, Austria) in the late 1500s. Hoefnagel's illuminations showing botanicals and insects were what Hoefnagel was known for painting. He rendered his botanicals and insects with precision, unlike other nature artists of his day. Our butterfly and mushroom illustration looks great on our gifts. The butterfly and mushroom are wonderful gifts for someone who loves beautiful vintage images and antique art.