“Vincent” the question mark butterfly

Scientific name: Polygonia interrogationis (Fabricius)
Geographic location: Midwest, USA
Artist: Jessa Huebing-Reitinger
Medium: Oil on canvas 48” x 36” 2004
Performance venue: Powell Gardens, Kingsville, MO.

Vincent the butterfly specimen was donated to Project InSECT by Kansas State Entomology. This particular Midwest native species was selected as the subject of the Powell Gardens 9th Annual Festival of Butterflies where the artist performed live during the two week event.

This butterfly received its common name from the silver crescent-shaped spot and round dot that resembles a question mark on the underside of the hind wings.

Jessa had the vision to paint Vincent in a flight pose at a sharp 45 degree angle to utilize the microscopic detail in the focal point as a macro lens camera might capture him. The artist also enjoyed viewing live specimens in flight at Powell Gardens during her two week performance which tends to be a rarity as most daytime hours are spent painting and talking with the people.