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Sheet of Studies of Nine Insects
Jan van Kessel I (1626-1679), pen and brown ink, with watercolour, c. 1653-1661
With an almost scientific sense of accuracy, Jan van Kessel drew various sorts of beetles, flies and butterflies and even a caterpillar on this sheet. He relied on illustrations in scientific books on entomology as well as the actual insects themselves. He did not restrict himself to spectacularly coloured exotic insects, for this drawing also features an ordinary housefly and a small cabbage white butterfly.
- Artwork typedrawing, aquarel
- Object numberRP-T-1953-271
- Dimensionsheight 95 mm x width 132 mm
- Physical characteristicspenseel in waterverf in kleuren; pen in bruin