Murex brassica Possibly 1962

Charles Arthur Wells, Jr. created this print of a Murex brassica shell using an etching technique. Focusing on an everyday object such as a shell, this print speaks to a broader history of still life and natural history illustration, genres with deep roots in scientific documentation and artistic exploration. Etchings, due to their reproducibility, played a crucial role in the dissemination of scientific knowledge and visual culture, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. Wells's choice to depict this particular shell raises questions about the cultural and social meanings associated with natural objects. Shells, for instance, have long been collected as curiosities, displayed as status symbols, and studied as scientific specimens. Further research into Wells's other work, alongside an exploration into the historical contexts of shell collecting and scientific illustration, may provide a deeper understanding of this print. This illuminates the artist's intentions and the social and cultural values reflected in the seemingly simple image.