Kerkuil 1594

This engraving of a barn owl was made by Jacques de Fornazeris around the turn of the 17th century. This detailed image is more than a straightforward depiction of nature. It operates within a specific cultural and institutional context. During this period, scientific illustration was gaining importance, fuelled by discoveries from exploration and a growing interest in natural history. The print’s existence speaks to the rise of scientific academies and the patronage of wealthy individuals who supported these endeavors. The owl itself, often associated with wisdom and nocturnal observation, could also symbolize the pursuit of knowledge, which was a key ideal of the era. To fully understand the image, we must look into the natural history studies of the time, the networks of scholars and artists, and even the symbolic meanings attached to animals in early modern Europe. Only then can we appreciate how an image like this reflects the values and intellectual currents of its time.