Twee vossen, een luipaard, een oeros, een schildpad, een gems, een eenhoorn en een mythisch dier 1578 - 1596

This unsigned print features two foxes, a leopard, an aurochs, a tortoise, a chamois, a unicorn and a mythical animal and was created by Stephan Herman. The depiction of various animals within this composition invites us to consider the cultural significance attached to the animal kingdom. Animals have long been used as symbols of human characteristics. Here we see the inclusion of both real and fantastical creatures blurring the lines between the natural and the imagined. Representations of the unicorn, for example, developed in tandem with shifts in societal norms and values. How might we understand these animal depictions in relation to societal concepts of identity, power, and desire? The emotional impact lies in its engagement with our collective consciousness. It evokes a sense of wonder but also prompts us to contemplate how these depictions uphold or subvert traditional narratives.