Kreeft, krab en schelpen 1581 - 1656

Nicolaes de Bruyn made this print, "Lobster, crab and shells," sometime before his death in 1656 using etching and engraving. This was a period when the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power, with vast trading networks spanning the globe. The detailed depiction of various sea creatures reflects a growing interest in natural history and scientific observation. But it also speaks to the Republic's economic activities, where seafood was both a staple food and a commodity. Notice how each specimen is carefully labeled. These images evoke the sensory experience of the seaside, the smell of salt and the feel of damp sand, but they also subtly nod to the human impact on marine life. It acts as a sort of early ecological record. The print embodies an intersection of commerce, science, and daily life during the Dutch Golden Age.