Peafowl 1559

Nicolaus Juvenel (before 1540 – 1597)
Opaque colours and red chalk

 

But For Nothing Less

John Ruskin  (1819 – 1900)

I must stop writing because I’ve to draw a peacock’s breast-feather, and paint as much of it as I can without having heaven to dip my brush in. And when you have seen what it is, you shall despise it—if you can—for heaven itself. But for nothing less!

The Peacock

The Sketchbook of Giovannino de’ Grassi  (Milano, circa 1350 – 1398)