Eekhoorns, slangen en amfibieën in het struikgewas 1678 - 1754

Carl Wilhelm de Hamilton created this drawing of squirrels, snakes, and amphibians in the undergrowth in pen and ink, sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It offers us a glimpse into the natural world through the eyes of an artist working within specific social and institutional contexts. The image is teeming with life, capturing a miniature drama unfolding within the undergrowth. The composition and detail suggest the influence of the Northern Renaissance tradition of scientific illustration, popular at the time in the Netherlands. It was a period where the burgeoning scientific revolution influenced art. Hamilton was born in the Dutch Republic, and the cultural values of observation and documentation are reflected here. The absence of overt moralizing, which was present in earlier art, suggests an emerging secular worldview. Understanding this artwork requires us to consider the prevailing intellectual currents and artistic conventions of its time. A deep dive into natural history, scientific illustration, and Dutch cultural history will enrich our understanding of this intriguing work.