The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of September 15, 2026

A horizontally oriented black-inked etching depicts a single, elongated seashell centered on cream paper. The form tapers to a point with spiraled ridges on the right, while a wide, ribbed opening faces the left. Dark, irregular spots dapple the textured surface, defined by fine lines and stippling that create depth and shadow. The entire composition is contained within a rectangular border.

Shells: Mitra papalis L

c. 1640s

Wenceslaus Hollar

(Bohemian, 1607–1677)
Bohemia
etching and engraving
Estate of Anne Levine and Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1991.219
Catalogue raisonné: Pennington 2198
Location: Not on view
  • Hugh Melville Howard; Franz Sprinzels
  • Signs of Affection: Gifts Honoring the Museum's 75th Anniversary. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 27, 1992-January 3, 1993).
  • {{cite web|title=Shells: Mitra papalis L|url=false|author=Wenceslaus Hollar|year=c. 1640s|access-date=15 September 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1991.219