Ornamentprent met dieren c. 1560 - 1620

This is Giacomo Franco’s “Ornamentprent met dieren,” an engraving now held at the Rijksmuseum. Created sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries, this small print depicts a lively menagerie of animals. Born in Venice during the Renaissance, Franco operated within a society where the natural world was both a source of aesthetic inspiration and a reflection of cultural values. Ornament prints like this one were part of a larger trend of decorative arts, which served both an aesthetic and a didactic function. Note the dynamic arrangement of the animals—bears, foxes, deer, and rabbits, each rendered with careful detail and a sense of animation. The composition suggests an ecological harmony, yet also hints at the hierarchies inherent in nature. These ornament prints often found their way into the homes of the upper class, reinforcing a particular vision of nature as both beautiful and tamed, thus reflecting a sense of control and order. Consider the emotional connection one might have felt, owning this image: a blend of admiration for nature's beauty and reassurance in its manageability. It reminds us that our perception of the natural world is always filtered through our own cultural lens, a lens that reflects our desires, values, and anxieties.