Heron, spoonbill, bird and goose 1571 - 1631

Curator: Welcome. The work before you is a print called “Heron, spoonbill, bird and goose” created sometime between 1571 and 1631. The artist is Jacob Matham, known for his engravings, and it’s currently held here at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: The immediacy of it strikes me; it feels like a page torn from a naturalist's sketchbook. The stark contrast and intricate lines give the animals a real sense of weight and texture, almost palpable despite the monochromatic palette. Curator: It's more than just a study; it is an exploration of natural symbolism during that period. Birds in general often represent the soul or the spirit, and these specific species carry layered associations. Editor: I can certainly see that in the carefully rendered textures – the soft, almost downy feathers of the owl, the sharp, graphic quality of the heron’s plumage. It almost reads as a visual taxonomy, carefully differentiating each bird through line and form. Curator: The heron, for example, frequently signified prudence and wisdom. The spoonbill might symbolize curiosity, given its unique beak. The placement of these birds – the heron and spoonbill standing tall while the owl observes from above – could represent a hierarchy of knowledge. Editor: And the goose, so solidly grounded…perhaps domesticity, or abundance? It's interesting how the varying densities of line create depth; the background feels distant, while the birds command the foreground. It really brings a compositional complexity to what initially seems like a simple study. Curator: Exactly! Also notice that smaller birds that seem like 'noise' are flying. The seemingly innocent gathering turns into a reminder that vigilance against a potential enemy of smaller birds, that they do not recognize as one yet, might be key to a longer life in nature. These avian species reflected ideals and morals of the time. Matham captured both natural beauty and cultural significance within a single print. Editor: This piece feels like an early, meticulous attempt at documenting the natural world, viewed through a symbolic lens. The contrast allows me to see the world back then in starker details through black-and-white, perhaps what was deemed necessary and sufficient back then to express the beauty in its unedited form. Curator: Considering the meticulous linework that can be attributed to ink line and pen work in Matham's 'Heron, spoonbill, bird and goose', it serves as a reminder of the lasting capacity of visual art to mirror culture back through time.