Kinders, ik heb nog noyt een wijn-zopje geproefd / Wild gy my dan goed Nederduyts hooren sprechen / En daarom zit ik dappertje hier zo bedroefd: / Zo moetje eerst 't spraak-zopje in mijn nekje steeken 1770 - 1794

This hand-colored etching is by Erven Hendrik van der Putte. It presents us with a peculiar owl perched on a branch. The Dutch text suggests the owl hasn't tasted wine, implying it needs a 'language-sip' to speak Dutch properly. Printed images like this one served a vital function in early modern Europe. This piece, like many others from the period, was likely produced in the Netherlands. It would have found its audience in a society grappling with emerging print culture and evolving ideas about language and identity. Owls, often symbols of wisdom, are here presented as creatures needing help to articulate themselves, perhaps a commentary on the learning process or the importance of linguistic skill. As an art historian, I would look into the cultural associations of owls in 17th-century Dutch society, study the history of language education, and explore the role of printed images in shaping cultural norms and understanding.