Tulip, Two Branches of Myrtle and Two Shells

attributed to Maria Sibylla Merian, 1657 - 1717

This sheet is likely a work by Maria Sibylla Merian, a celebrated artist and natural scientist. She struck a pleasing balance between the artistic and the scientific. The peeled-back tulip petal overlapping the myrtle branch on the right adds a sense of depth and dynamism to the overall flat arrangement meant for scholarly observation.

  • Artwork typedrawing
  • Object numberRP-T-1899-A-4295
  • Dimensionsheight 336 mm x width 240 mm
  • Physical characteristicsopaque and transparent watercolour, over traces of graphite, on vellum

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • Tulip, Two Branches of Myrtle and Two Shells
    • Tulip, two Branches of Myrtle and two Shells

  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-T-1899-A-4295

  • Part of catalogue

Creation

  • Creation

    draftsman (artist): attributed to Maria Sibylla Merian

  • Dating

    1657 - 1717

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    opaque and transparent watercolour, over traces of graphite, on vellum

  • Dimensions

    height 336 mm x width 240 mm

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Purchased with the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt

  • Acquisition

    purchase 1899-12

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; collection William Pitcairn Knowles (1820-94), Rotterdam and Wiesbaden (L. 2643); his sale, Amsterdam (F. Muller), 25-6 June 1895, no. 422, fl. 17, to the dealer H.J. Valk, Amsterdam; from whom, fl. 19.55, to the museum (L. 2228), with the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt, 1899

Documentation

Persistent URL

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