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  • We acquired this object.

-0001

2025

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Book Illustration, Les delices des yeux et de l'esprit, ou, Collection generale des differentes especes de coquillages que la mer renferme (The delights of the eyes and the spirit, or, general collection of the various species of shells found in the sea), vol. 1; Nautilus de papier, plate II.

This is a book illustration. It was written by Georg Wolfgang Knorr and printed by Georg Wolfgang Knorr. It is dated 1764–73. Its medium is hand-colored engraving on paper. It is a part of the Smithsonian Libraries department.

Knorr worked as an engraver and naturalist in his hometown of Nuremburg, Germany. He became interested in the study of nature while illustrating such notable scientific books as Johann Jakob Scheuchzer’s Physica sacra (1731). Les delices des yeux et de l'esprit, published in six parts between 1764 and 1773, includes more than 100 hand-colored illustrations of shells. This engraving features the spiral shapes and distinctive linear quality of nautilus shells.

It is credited Collection of Smithsonian Institution Libraries.

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<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/68777365/ |title=Book Illustration, Les delices des yeux et de l'esprit, ou, Collection generale des differentes especes de coquillages que la mer renferme (The delights of the eyes and the spirit, or, general collection of the various species of shells found in the sea), vol. 1; Nautilus de papier, plate II. |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=20 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>