Natural History Ensemble (no. 3) by Elias Verhulst

Natural History Ensemble (no. 3) 1596 - 1610

eliasverhulst

toned paper

childish illustration

flower

personal sketchbook

coloured pencil

ink colored

sketchbook drawing

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

sketchbook art

watercolor

"Natural History Ensemble (no. 3)" is a detailed watercolor illustration by Flemish artist Elias Verhulst, created between 1596 and 1610. This small-scale artwork (152 mm x 231 mm) showcases a precise depiction of a variety of flora and fauna, including a snail, a cucumber, a butterfly, a moth, a spider, and various flowers. Verhulst, renowned for his scientific accuracy, captures the intricacies of each specimen, showcasing his expertise in natural history illustration. The artwork exemplifies the growing interest in detailed observation and documentation of the natural world during the Renaissance era. This specific ensemble, with its meticulous depiction of insects and plants, would have been valuable for scientific study and aesthetic appreciation.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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The botanical drawings in the albums were in part made by other artists. For example, De Boodt commissioned 200 drawings from the Delft floral painter Elias Verhulst, who in turn copied some of his images from other artists. This sheet was probably made after a print by court artist Jacob Hoefnagel (1573-c. 1632). It is an attractive, colourful combination of flowers and critters, delicately rendered in watercolour.