CABINET (KUNSTCAEMER)

Rembrandt had a great many shells and corals, listed in the inventory as ‘A large quantity of horns, sea plants’. According to classical principles, nature was classified into three kingdoms: animals, plants and minerals.

Shells, classified as animals, were very popular with collectors. A cabinet of shells was very expensive, but was nonetheless found in many collections.

		Rembrandt Conus Marmoreus 1650 Etching, drypoint and burin, state II (3), 97 x 132 mm Museum Het Rembrandthuis
In the only still life he ever etched, Rembrandt depicted a shell from his collection.