Public domain

Nautilus cup

Joachim Hiller · c. 1600 · paint; gild; drijven; nautilus shell; amethyst (mineral); silver (metal)

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

This nautilus shell has been cleverly used to represent the body of a realistically rendered ostrich. Ever since Classical antiquity this bird has been a symbol of virtue. Even though it cannot fly, it surpasses all other twolegged creatures in the speed with which it can run. Virtue thus always triumphs.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description

Subjects

nautilus shell cup birds

Credit lineNautilus cup. c. 1600. Joachim Hiller. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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