1594
gouache
vellum
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Plate 58: Shells, including Abalone(?) is a 1594 gouache by Joris Hoefnagel, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows seven different shells. They’re scattered in a circle on a light background. Some shells are open, some are closed, and one looks like it’s been cracked open. The colors are mostly browns, whites, and a little gold. The Latin words at the top and bottom mean “as much glass, as many pearls.” This was a way to say these shells were valuable. The gold paint makes the whole thing look fancy. Next, look up watercolor, glazing to see how artists built up colors like this.
Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel (1542 – 24 July 1601) was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant.
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