Kop van de Kasuaris 1700 - 1800

This watercolor drawing, titled "Kop van de Kasuaris" (Head of the Cassowary), is a work by Dutch artist Christiaan van Geelen. Dating from 1700-1800, it depicts the head and neck of a cassowary, a large flightless bird native to New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Van Geelen's watercolor captures the distinct features of the cassowary, including its helmet-like crest, vibrant blue neck, and red wattle. The drawing, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the fascination with exotic animals during the 18th century, a period of global exploration and scientific inquiry.