The Shell (Conus marmoreus)

Rembrandt van Rijn (mentioned on object), 1650

Collecting exotic shells was a popular hobby in the 17th century, and it excited Rembrandt’s interest too. He had a small natural history collection of his own, including this marbled cone shell; it is similar in shape to the conus cervus, a ‘deer’ cone. He rendered the form and markings of the shell with meticulous care on the copperplate. Note that the shell appears in mirror image.

  • Artwork typeprint
  • Object numberRP-P-OB-241
  • Dimensionsheight 97 mm x width 129 mm
  • Physical characteristicsets, droge naald en burijn

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • The Shell (Conus marmoreus)
    • The shell
  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-P-OB-241

  • Inscriptions / marks

    • signature and date: ‘Rembrandt f 1650’
    • collector's mark: Lugt 240
  • Catalogue reference

    • Hollstein Dutch 159-1(3)
    • Bartsch 159-1(3)
    • New Hollstein Dutch and Flemish (Rembrandt text) 247-1(3)

Creation

  • Creation

    • printmaker: Rembrandt van Rijn (mentioned on object)
    • after design by Rembrandt van Rijn
  • Dating

    1650

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    ets, droge naald en burijn

  • Dimensions

    height 97 mm x width 129 mm


This work is about

  • Subject


Exhibitions


Acquisition and rights


Documentation

  • H. Perry Chapman, Rembrandt on display : The Rembrandthuis as portrait of an artist, uit: Nederlands kunsthistorisch jaarboek = Netherlandish yearbook for history of art, 65, 2015, pagina 203-238 - p. 220-221, afb. 11


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