Plate 11: Four Fish and Shells
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows four fish floating in a shallow pool of blue water, surrounded by a few seashells on the sandy bottom. The fish are drawn with careful attention to their shapes and colors—some are dark and sleek, others lighter with stripes. The edges of the paper are framed with a thin gold line, giving it a fancy, old-book look. The artist numbered each fish and shell, like a scientist studying them. This kind of detailed drawing was often used to teach people about nature during the Renaissance. Next, check out watercolor, glazing to see how artists built up colors like layers of glass.
