Butterflies, Cornelia de Rijck, c. 1700
brush, h 280mm × w 200mm More details
De Rijck chose a symmetrical and static composition, which became popular in the early 18th century for scientific illustrations. This encourages the comparison of shapes, sizes, and colours. Here she depicted European as well as Central and South American butterflies collected by her husband, Simon Schijnvoet. Amassing such a collection required an international network of other collectors, natural historians, and traders.
