The Good Samaritan, with Fish, Lizard, Squirrel, and Owl 1582 - 1586

Editor: This is Adriaen Collaert's "The Good Samaritan, with Fish, Lizard, Squirrel, and Owl," an undated print held at the Harvard Art Museums. I find the border with all those animals so intriguing, but slightly odd. How do you interpret the relationship between the central scene and that surrounding menagerie? Curator: The animals framing the Good Samaritan aren’t merely decorative. The owl, fish, lizard, and squirrel each carry layers of symbolic meaning, reflecting contemporary views on the natural world. Can you see how that symbolism might amplify the parable’s message? Editor: Perhaps...the owl's association with wisdom, the squirrel with provision, but I’m not entirely sure how to connect this symbolism to the Biblical scene. Curator: Consider how these symbols connect to broader anxieties and hopes of the time. The image reminds us how deeply intertwined the spiritual and natural worlds were perceived to be. Editor: So, the animals are not just decoration, but a symbolic commentary on virtue and human nature! That adds so much depth to what I initially saw as a simple illustration.