Rembrandt's 1650 Shell Etching: A Singular Still Life with Enduring Influence
In 1650, Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn created a unique etched still life titled 'The Shell,' depicting a Conus marmoreus seashell. This etching, his only print-based still life, is held at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Rembrandt purchased the Indo-Pacific shell at auction in 1637 for 11 florins. The work went through three distinct states as the artist refined the background and contrast. Over centuries, this small print has served as a model for numerous artists, from 17th-century scientific illustrators like Anne Lister to 20th-century figures including Giorgio Morandi, demonstrating its lasting impact on art and natural history representation.
Key facts
- Rembrandt van Rijn created 'The Shell' etching in 1650.
- It is his sole still life executed as a print.
- The subject is a Conus marmoreus shell from the Indo-Pacific region.
- The artwork is housed in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
- The etching exists in three states, with the artist modifying the background and contrast.
Entities
Artists
- Rembrandt van Rijn
- Anne Lister
- Giorgio Morandi
- Wenceslaus Hollar
- Bartholomeus Assteyn
- Charles Amand-Durand
- Gérard de Palézieux
- Jakob Demus
- Kate Breakey
Institutions
- Rijksmuseum
- Fondation Custodia
- Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
- The Art Museum, Princeton University
- Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
Locations
- Amsterdam
- Paris
- Rotterdam
- Toronto