Plate 52: An Argonaut, Squid, Hermit Crabs, Shells, and a Crab
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows a mix of sea creatures and shells on a sandy shore. An octopus floats near a squid, while crabs and snails sit on the sand. The colors are soft—pinks, blues, and browns—with gold paint around the edges. The artist painted tiny details, like the texture of each shell. This was likely made as a scientific study of marine life. Next, look up watercolor, glazing to see how artists built up colors like this.
