Vogels 1555 - 1830

Johan Noman created this print of several bird species, sometime before his death in 1833. Take note of the prominent owl, which is a complex symbol of wisdom and death. Consider the owl's presence through the ages. In ancient Greece, it was associated with Athena, goddess of wisdom, but in many other cultures, it is a harbinger of misfortune or a spirit of the night. This duality speaks to our complex relationship with the unknown. It taps into our primal fears, our subconscious association of darkness with danger. The owl motif, as seen here, surfaces in many forms, from the decorative arts to literature. Each time, it is reshaped by the cultural currents of the time, mirroring our evolving understanding of the world and our place within it. The persistence of such symbols reveals the human drive to find meaning in the natural world.