Plate 47: Nine Crabs
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows nine different crabs floating in a blue oval pool. Each crab is drawn carefully, with some facing left, others right. The background is smooth water, and the whole scene sits inside a gold border. The artist used watercolor and gold paint to make the details stand out. The crabs vary in size and shape, from small to large, with some looking almost like they’re walking. Want to see how artists used watercolor in this time? Check out technique: watercolor, glazing.
