Dove and Finch 1580

Curator: This is Adriaen Collaert’s engraving, "Dove and Finch." Collaert, who lived from 1560 to 1618, presents us with a pastoral scene. Editor: The stark contrast of the engraving really jumps out. You can almost feel the weight of the dove versus the delicacy of the finch just by looking at the lines. Curator: Indeed, the dove, often a symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit, contrasts with the finch, whose symbolism is more tied to domesticity and, sometimes, greed. Editor: And look at the labor involved! The cross-hatching gives such depth. What kind of tools were used to carve this? Curator: The texture is fascinating. These kinds of images served as patterns for other artisans. Editor: So the labor is disseminated even further. Fascinating! Curator: It really makes you think about how symbols are passed down. Editor: Well, I’ll be thinking about the engraver's hand.