Study of a shell of a tortoise

attributed to Jacques de Gheyn (III), c. 1616

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.

  • Artwork typedrawing
  • Object numberRP-T-1935-51
  • Dimensionsheight 381 mm x width 227 mm
  • Physical characteristicspen and brown ink, with opaque white, on light brown cartridge paper; framing line in graphite

Identification

  • Title(s)

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

  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-T-1935-51

  • Description

    Zicht op de bovenkant en en profil.

  • Part of catalogue

  • Catalogue reference

    Boon 242

Creation

  • Creation

    • draftsman (artist): attributed to Jacques de Gheyn (III), Leiden (possibly)
    • draftsman (artist): Jacques de Gheyn (II) [rejected attribution]

  • Dating

    c. 1616

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    pen and brown ink, with opaque white, on light brown cartridge paper; framing line in graphite

  • Dimensions

    height 381 mm x width 227 mm

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    F.G. Waller Bequest, Amsterdam

  • Acquisition

    purchase 1935

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; 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)

  • Remarks

    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.

Documentation

Persistent URL

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