Reigers en zwaluwen 1654 - 1750

"Reigers en zwaluwen" (Herons and Swallows) is an anonymous 17th-century etching housed in the Rijksmuseum. This detailed print showcases three herons, two with their beaks open in a call or feeding posture, and one standing at the edge of a marshland. Two swallows fly overhead, one in mid-flight with wings spread and another with its beak open, adding movement to the scene. The careful rendering of the birds’ plumage and the surrounding reeds and plants exemplifies the meticulous detail typical of Dutch animal art.