Study of a shell of a tortoise

• Study of a shell of a tortoise
• Two Studies of the Shell of a Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

RP-T-1935-51

At the close of the 16th century, artists became increasingly interested in nature. Jacques de Gheyn’s circle of friends included several scientists. His expertise and excellent observational skills enabled him to portray plants and animals with meticulous accuracy. De Gheyn drew this picture of a tortoise shell from above and the side as a scientist would, observing his subject from different angles.

Boon 242

• draughtsman: attributed to Jacques de Gheyn (III) (possibly)
• draughtsman: Jacques de Gheyn (II) [rejected]

c. 1616

pen en bruine inkt, met witte dekverf, op bruin kardoespapier; kaderlijnen in grafiet

height 381 mm x width 227 mm

F.G. Waller Bequest, Amsterdam

purchase 1935

Public domain

…; collection, François Gérard Waller (1867-1934), Amsterdam (L. 2760); by whom bequeathed, with 37 other drawings, to the museum, 1935 (as Jacques de Gheyn II)

Please note that this provenance was formulated with a special focus on provenance research for the years 1933-45 and could therefore be incomplete. There may be more (mostly earlier) provenance information known in the museum. In case this item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45, the Rijksmuseum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.

Boon 242

To refer to this object, please use the following persistent URL:

https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200118583