Uil vliegt uit lessenaar 1717

Bernard Picart etched this image, Uil vliegt uit lessenaar, sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Here we see the sudden flight of an owl from a lectern, startling bewigged men who hold candles. The owl, traditionally a symbol of wisdom, takes on a different meaning here. In the context of the 18th century, and the presence of startled clerics, it becomes a disruption of established order, a sudden unveiling of what is hidden, or perhaps the exposure of ignorance. Consider, for instance, how the owl appears in ancient Greek art, often accompanying Athena, goddess of wisdom, or consider its later appearances in folklore. Here, the owl embodies a collective fear of the unknown and a subconscious association with darkness and the uncanny. The immediate, visceral reaction of the figures is palpable, engaging us on a primal level. The fear and surprise etched on their faces are not merely personal emotions; they are a reflection of a broader cultural anxiety triggered by the unexpected intrusion of the symbolic owl. This symbol has resurfaced and evolved, taking on new meanings in different historical contexts, yet its essence as a harbinger of change and an emblem of the subconscious remains.