Chinese papegaaiverkoper 1682 - 1711

This small print, made by Pieter Schenk, depicts a Chinese parrot seller, a rather curious subject given the artist's location. The dominant visual element is, of course, the parrot, a symbol laden with meaning. Parrots, throughout history, have been associated with mimicry and exoticism, often appearing in works to denote the foreign or the luxurious. Consider, for example, their presence in Mughal paintings, where they symbolize royal opulence and refined taste. The parrot's ability to imitate human speech has also linked it to notions of knowledge, albeit superficial, echoing through medieval bestiaries and Renaissance allegories. Here, in Schenk's print, the parrot perhaps embodies Europe's fascination with the East. It also might speak to the burgeoning trade routes and the allure of the unknown, capturing a blend of curiosity and perhaps a touch of the 'noble savage' trope. This symbol echoes through time, transforming yet retaining its core associations with otherness and value.