Frieze with Birds Perched on Scrolling Tendrils 1568 - 1633

Hieronymus Bang created this delicate frieze with birds perched on scrolling tendrils some time between 1553 and 1630. Bang was part of a society in Northern Europe experiencing significant religious and social upheaval during this period. This print reflects an interest in the natural world, typical of the Renaissance, but it also presents a highly stylized vision. The birds and foliage are carefully arranged, almost like a constructed stage. The frieze seems to capture a moment of serenity and escape, offering a refuge from the turmoil of the times. There’s a tension here between the depiction of the natural world and the rigid control of the design. The birds, caught in various states of rest and flight, are set against a backdrop of meticulously crafted tendrils. This juxtaposition may reflect the broader societal tensions of Bang’s time, a period where the old world was giving way to new social structures. It asks, in what ways do we seek order amid chaos?