Verschillende zeedieren 1778

"Verschillende zeedieren," (Various Sea Creatures) is a hand-colored etching from 1778 by Dutch artist Robbert Muys. The artwork, which is part of the Rijksmuseum collection, depicts a detailed scientific illustration of six different sea creatures, including a worm, a sea slug, a crustacean, and three types of jellyfish. This detailed plate is typical of the scientific illustrations popular in the 18th century, which aimed to accurately depict the natural world. Muys’ use of delicate lines and shading contributes to the aesthetic appeal of the artwork, making it valuable both for its scientific and artistic merit.