A Cowrie, and a Larger and Two Smaller Shells 1680 - 1750

"A Cowrie, and a Larger and Two Smaller Shells" is a 17th or 18th century drawing of a collection of shells on a table. The anonymous artist utilizes a realistic style to capture the texture and color of the shells in great detail. The artwork, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a prime example of the genre of still life, a popular subject in art history that emphasizes the beauty of everyday objects. This drawing, while anonymous, reflects a growing interest in natural history and the study of the natural world during this period.