Dees Vogels zonden/Zullen u niet ligt ontvliegen 1725 - 1780

Editor: So, this print, "Dees Vogels zonden/Zullen u niet ligt ontvliegen," was created by Johannes Kannewet sometime between 1725 and 1780. It’s got these almost cartoonish birds, each in their own little square. I find it kind of charming, but also…a bit unsettling. What stories do you think these birds are trying to tell? Curator: Ah, a fascinating piece, brimming with symbolic language! Don't let the seemingly simplistic style fool you. In folk art like this, birds often serve as allegorical stand-ins for human traits. See how each bird is carefully delineated, almost like specimens in a bestiary? Consider each one - the proud rooster, the watchful owl... What do these birds evoke for you? Editor: I guess…stereotypes? The rooster does seem proud, maybe even a little boastful. The owl looks wise, but also aloof, or like it's judging everyone. It is a little like a Medieval bestiary. Curator: Precisely! These aren’t just depictions of birds, they are reflections of societal values and moral lessons, passed down through generations. The phrases below each bird reinforce this; each square is an easily digestible piece of moral instruction, connecting specific human behaviors to corresponding creatures. Editor: That makes sense. So the artist used the established symbolism of these animals to teach a lesson to the viewer. It is an interesting mix of folk art, science, and instruction. I see something different every time I look at it. Curator: Indeed, it is art that instructs but is filled with intriguing symbols, open to renewed appreciation over time.