Owl on Back of Donkey, Bird on Back of Camel with Other Animals 1594

Nicolaes de Bruyn created this miniature engraving of animals sometime between the late 16th and mid-17th centuries. In this menagerie of an image, de Bruyn’s combination of creatures generates a topsy-turvy world. The figures are presented in close proximity to each other, which creates a sense of both curiosity and tension. Here, the animals are positioned outside of their natural order, inviting us to question established hierarchies. What does it mean for an owl, a bird of prey, to sit atop a donkey, an animal of burden? This composition echoes the anxieties of a rapidly changing world at the time. The piece grapples with themes of power, status, and the disruption of traditional roles. In the end, de Bruyn’s ark is a testament to the enduring human need to make sense of our place amongst the chaos of the world.