Verschillige dieren. / Différens animaux 1842 - 1856

This print by P.J. Delhuvenne depicts various animals, each neatly framed, evoking a child’s educational toy. The animals depicted are a melting pot of representations that reveal cultural projections onto the animal kingdom. Take, for instance, the image of the Lynx. Framed in a leafless tree, it evokes the symbolic representation of the wild, untamed aspects of nature. It’s fascinating how this animal, perceived for its sharp sight and stealth, appears across cultures. In Greek mythology, the Lynx was associated with secrets and hidden knowledge; its image has often been connected with vigilance and watchfulness, a motif that resurfaces even in heraldry. Here, the artist captures the Lynx not merely as a creature, but as a vessel of cultural memory, revealing how we project our own desires and fears onto the natural world. This visual compendium transcends mere zoology, inviting us to contemplate the diverse ways we, as humans, engage with and interpret the animal kingdom.