Murex denudatus Possibly 1962

Charles Arthur Wells, Jr. created this print, a study of a shell, using etching. I love how the stark black and white emphasizes the texture of the Murex denudatus shell, making it seem almost like a landscape, mountainous and rugged. The fine lines create depth, drawing you into the curves and spikes of its form. I imagine Wells hunched over a metal plate, carefully drawing with a sharp needle, biting into the metal with acid, a process that requires patience and precision. It’s about mark-making and seeing what you can get away with. What was Wells thinking as he rendered each ridge and crevice? Was he captivated by its intricate design? Or was he simply trying to master a technique, to see if he could distill the essence of this object through line and tone? Works like this make me think about the dialogue between art and nature, the way artists have always looked to the natural world for inspiration. Maybe Wells' practice comes from a larger tradition of scientific illustration combined with the sensibility of an artist? There’s a humility in the close observation and dedicated reproduction.