Beschouw eens deeze dieren, Zy spreeken met haar vieren 1761 - 1804

This print, "Beschouw eens deeze dieren, Zy spreken met haar vieren", was created by Erven de Weduwe Jacobus van Egmont. The composition is neatly divided into four quadrants, each featuring an animal—rooster, hen, dog, and cat—rendered in simple, almost crude, woodcut lines. This aesthetic evokes a sense of directness. The animals are depicted in static poses, lending a formal quality to the work, despite its folk art roots. Each animal occupies its own space, yet they are unified by the coarse hatching which creates texture and volume. The rough texture of the lines and the unrefined forms suggest an intent beyond mere representation. The print, with its clear separation of elements, implies a structural approach. The work can be seen as a commentary on social roles or behaviors, using animals as signs within a broader cultural framework, inviting ongoing interpretation.