Twee tulpen met schelp en vliegende kever 1639

Jacob Marrel's "Twee tulpen met schelp en vliegende kever" (1639) is a meticulous watercolor on paper depicting two vibrantly colored tulips, a seashell, and a flying beetle. The artwork, housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies Marrel's expertise in botanical illustration, showcasing the beauty of the natural world through intricate detail and delicate brushwork. The painting's inclusion of the beetle and seashell adds a touch of whimsy, hinting at the Dutch fascination with exotic specimens during the Golden Age.