Ibis 1886

Jan Veth made this image of an Ibis using pen and ink in the Netherlands at the turn of the 20th century. The image operates through stark contrasts. The black background throws the bird into sharp relief, yet the bird itself is made up of fine lines that soften the image. There was a craze for bird imagery in Europe at this time, driven by new discoveries in the fields of biology and zoology. The Ibis was of particular interest as a migratory animal that connected Europe to Africa and Asia. The image may have had its origins in scientific illustration, but Veth would also have been aware of the Ibis' associations with ancient Egypt. Religious and cultural meanings are layered into this relatively small image. To understand this image better, we might look to sources in both the history of science and the history of religion. The meaning of art is contingent on its historical context.