De papegaai / Le perroquet 1833 - 1911

This lithograph entitled "De papegaai / Le perroquet" made by Brepols & Dierckx zoon, shows a narrative told in 18 vignettes. The most prominent symbol, of course, is the parrot itself. The parrot, historically, has been a complex symbol—often associated with mimicry, imitation, and the ability to speak without understanding. But, tracing back to ancient cultures, parrots are seen as exotic, valuable, and associated with wealth and trade, often appearing in royal courts or in the possession of the wealthy. Consider, for instance, the motif of the parrot in Renaissance paintings, where they are frequently seen as symbols of luxury. However, in other contexts, the parrot can also represent foolishness or vanity, mocking human behavior. In this lithograph, the parrot seems to be a kind of trickster or catalyst, as it plays a crucial role in the story's unfolding events. The parrot is a vivid example of how symbols evolve, carrying echoes of their past while adapting to new cultural landscapes.