Still Life with Books, Sheet Music, Violin, Celestial Globe and an Owl 1645 - 1650

Jacob van Campen created this still life with oil on canvas, presenting a collection of scholarly and artistic objects. Dominating the composition is the owl, a symbol of wisdom, perched atop books and sheet music. The owl, throughout history, has been a multifaceted symbol. In ancient Greece, it was associated with Athena, the goddess of wisdom, yet in other contexts, it was seen as a creature of darkness and ill omen. Van Campen’s choice to place the owl amidst instruments of learning suggests a deliberate association with knowledge. The celestial globe further underscores this theme, representing the pursuit of understanding the cosmos. Consider how the owl appears in other contexts—as a haunting figure in folklore or a wise mentor in children's stories. Its persistent presence in our collective consciousness reveals a deep-seated fascination with the boundaries between knowledge and mystery. The emotional power of the image lies in its ability to evoke a sense of intellectual curiosity, inviting us to ponder the depths of human understanding. The image's iconography is not linear but cyclical, resurfacing throughout history and culture, each time taking on new meanings and engaging viewers on a subconscious level.