Vogelkooien aan een gevel 1778 - 1785

Noach van der Meer II made this etching of birdcages on a facade in the 18th century. The print is a stark reminder of the intersection between nature and human intervention during this period. Consider the labour involved in constructing the birdcages. The delicate, repetitive work of weaving the cages from wire or wicker contrasts sharply with the rustic, hand-hewn elements of the building's facade. Birdcages have a history of being associated with control and captivity; they speak to the complex relationship between humans and nature. It forces us to consider how the act of making, whether it be the crafting of a birdcage or the construction of a building, shapes our understanding and interaction with the natural world. This print invites us to consider the work involved in making both the cages and the building, and to reflect on how our built environment reflects and shapes our relationship with the natural world.