Fantastische waterdieren, onder andere dolfijn en pitvis 1581 - 1656

Curator: Immediately striking! There's something both unsettling and whimsical about these creatures. Editor: That's quite a first impression! This is a drawing by Nicolaes de Bruyn from the late 16th to mid-17th century, entitled *Fantastische waterdieren, onder andere dolfijn en pitvis*, rendered in ink using an engraving technique. Curator: The word 'fantastische' is certainly fitting. They resemble fish, yes, but the exaggerated features and almost comical expressions… it’s as if they belong to a mythological bestiary. There’s definitely an uncanny valley effect at play here. Editor: I agree; these are more than simple fish. I'm drawn to the fine lines of the engraving, the way it defines the forms and suggests texture. Observe the almost mathematical precision in the depiction of the fins on those bottom figures, counterposed with the fluidity of the water lines above. Curator: It's interesting you point that out, that duality is echoed throughout the composition! Look at the naming just above each one, the naming of each animal feels more important than the actual image. This speaks to a culture fascinated by classification, yet forced to reconcile scientific impulses with fantastical beliefs. Remember, the sea was still largely unexplored. Anything seemed possible. Editor: Good point. I didn't register those names right away, perhaps I'm not attuned enough to the etymological background to fully interpret this one. Speaking of exploration, do you find the placement of these beings intentional at all? It feels as though they've simply been scattered for our viewing. Curator: On the contrary, I sense a very subtle hierarchy at play, Editor! The so-called dolphins occupy the highest register; perhaps it’s suggesting an established understanding of marine order. Editor: Hmmm… Perhaps! Either way, de Bruyn's piece is intriguing as an emblem of a historical intersection between art, science, and the enduring human capacity for imagination. Curator: Indeed. It reminds us that even supposed objective documentation often reveals just as much about cultural anxieties and fantasies as it does about observable reality.