Ziet kindren hier een zestiental, van beestjes die 'k beschryven zal 1791 - 1812

Jacobus Thompson created this print of sixteen animals with etching in the Netherlands at an unknown date. Thompson here depicts familiar animals along with fabulous beasts, all carefully inscribed with didactic verses. Considered together, these images and texts point to the crucial role played by illustrated books and prints in shaping early modern European attitudes towards the natural world. The verses beneath each image offer insights into the animal's character, habits, and symbolic meanings. They act as moral lessons, reflecting prevailing cultural beliefs about nature and humanity's place within it. This was a time when there was growing scientific curiosity, and the institutions of art and science began to overlap. Analyzing prints such as this one involves delving into diverse historical sources. These include bestiaries, emblem books, and early scientific treatises. Through such research, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, science, and society in shaping our understanding of the natural world.