Sheet with six beetles, Pieter Holsteyn (I), c. 1620 - c. 1662

paper, h 160mm × w 207mm More details

Pieter Holsteyn grouped six different species of beetles like precious jewels on the sheet of paper. He beautifully captured the metallic sheen of their ‘armour.’ Such nature studies were earmarked as having been made naer het leven or ad vivum, ‘from life.’ However, that should not be taken too literally in this case. He probably drew dead specimens. After all, insects are impatient models: they do not care to stay still.