Twee tulpen met schelp, vlinder en vlieg 1639

"Twee tulpen met schelp, vlinder en vlieg" (Two Tulips with a Shell, Butterfly and Fly) is a watercolor painting by Dutch artist Jacob Marrel, created in 1639. The painting, which is currently in the Rijksmuseum, depicts two red and white striped tulips, a seashell, a butterfly, and a dragonfly in exquisite detail. Marrel's meticulous rendering of the natural world exemplifies the Dutch fascination with botanical and zoological subjects during the Golden Age, a period renowned for its scientific advancements and artistic innovation. The painting showcases Marrel's mastery of watercolor and his keen eye for detail, making it a remarkable example of 17th-century Dutch still life.