Daniel in the Lion's Den, with Birds, Carnations, and Roses 1582 - 1586

Editor: Here we have Adriaen Collaert's "Daniel in the Lion's Den, with Birds, Carnations, and Roses." It's a delicate little print, full of detail. All those flowers! It feels so serene, considering the subject matter. What do you make of it? Curator: Serene is a good word. For me, the real magic is in the framing. The lions inside, yes, but outside, the birds, the roses... It's as if Collaert is saying, even in the face of fear, beauty persists. It's an odd juxtaposition. Do you think that the lions inside look like the other animals? Editor: Oh, I see what you mean. All the animals are rendered with equal care. Curator: Right? Maybe the lions aren’t so scary after all. Perhaps Collaert invites us to discover the beauty within the whole world. Editor: Well, I'll never look at Daniel the same way!