Luiaard 1722 - 1784

Simon Fokke's "Luiaard," housed in the Rijksmuseum, presents a composition where the soft contours of the slow loris contrast with the angularity of its rocky setting. The subdued palette evokes a sense of quiet observation. The artist’s choices in form and arrangement invite a deeper consideration of the relationship between nature and representation. Fokke’s work engages with the Linnaean project of classifying and understanding the natural world through visual means, but also hints at the subjective act of seeing. The composition draws our attention to how we frame and understand the natural world, destabilizing any sense of objective truth. The careful arrangement of elements—the curve of the animal’s body, the jagged rocks, and muted colors—challenge us to examine the cultural frameworks shaping our perceptions. This print invites us to consider how these frameworks influence our understanding and interaction with the environment.