Franjeworm en een ribkwalletje 1778

This delicate image, "Franjeworm en een ribkwalletje", was made by Robbert Muys in the 18th century. It's created with watercolor and perhaps some ink, on paper - a very traditional combination. But what makes this print so compelling is not the materials themselves, but the way they are used to capture an image of the natural world. We see great attention to detail, with fine lines and delicate washes of color used to render the intricate forms of these creatures. Note the level of work involved in the production process, and the skilled traditions the artist engaged with. The objective is to create a lifelike depiction that serves a scientific, documentary purpose, in tandem with its aesthetic appeal. The way the artist chose to represent these creatures gives us insight into the period's fascination with natural history. It asks us to think about the relationship between art, science, and the modes of production of knowledge. The work shows the degree to which these disciplines were intertwined.