Etend luipaard, naar rechts 1657 - 1677

Marcus de Bye created this etching, "Stretched Leopard, facing right," sometime in the 17th century. The print presents a scene dominated by the leopard, its body elongated and poised. The composition, though simple, draws us into the texture of the leopard's fur and musculature. Each spot is carefully placed, and the shading gives volume and depth to the animal's form. The image operates within a tradition of natural history illustration, yet it also presents questions about representation. De Bye captures the leopard in a moment of repose, challenging our expectations of the animal's ferocity. The leopard then, is presented as a signifier of both the exotic and the familiar. It invites us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and the ways in which we categorize and understand it.