Kraanvogels 1686 - 1725

Editor: So, here we have "Kraanvogels," or Cranes, a print made with engraving sometime between 1686 and 1725 by Abraham Allard, housed right here in the Rijksmuseum. I'm immediately struck by the contrast; we have this almost cartoonish depiction of the cranes set against what looks like a very formal, almost theatrical landscape. What do you make of this unusual pairing? Curator: Oh, it's wonderfully strange, isn’t it? It reminds me of those early cabinets of curiosities, you know? Allard is essentially showcasing these cranes—"Struthiocamelus Chinensis," he calls them in Latin, or "ostriches of China"—as exotic marvels. They're presented almost like characters in a play, don't you think, strutting across a stage set of Italianate gardens? I wonder if Allard ever saw these cranes in person, or if he was working from descriptions or other illustrations. The Baroque period was all about ornamentation and exuberance. Editor: That makes sense. They do seem a bit like actors! I can see that almost caricatured line work against this refined European backdrop as this early form of, say, animal documentary in contrast to classical norms. Almost humourous? Curator: Exactly! This piece operates on several levels, right? Yes, it's documentation, sure, of a bird that Europeans at the time would likely have only encountered through traveller's tales. And you're right – the slight exaggeration might be an effort to capture the public’s attention and wonder. Did those travellers fully appreciate and understand that what they viewed would be viewed through the lens of fantasy or embellishment by those left at home? We are very trusting and expect an authentic representation of things... don't we? I adore that idea... Editor: Yeah, now that you mention that. That lens is fascinating, like layers on layers! I initially thought of this artwork in a flat way. But thinking now about the cultural context, that's key! Thank you. Curator: Oh, you are welcome! These works allow us glimpses, real and imagined, through those cracks in time. Wonderful!