Plate 54: Sea Cucumbers, Sea Urchins, Starfish, a Sea Nettle, a "Sea Hare," and Other Marine Life
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1594
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows a circular underwater scene filled with odd, colorful sea creatures. A rocky shore lines the top, with a ship sailing past in the distance. The water teems with spiky, soft, and squiggly shapes—some look like plants, others like animals. Tiny details mark each creature, and the whole thing is framed by a gold border. The title at the top names some of these: sea cucumbers, starfish, and a "sea hare." The artist painted this like a science notebook, mixing art and observation. Next, check out watercolor, glazing to see how this delicate, layered look was made.
