Wilt o jonge jeugd dees vogelen bekyken / Die zeer uistekende na levendig gelyken 1555 - 1804

This print, "Wilt o jonge jeugd dees vogelen bekyken," was created by Erven de Weduwe Jacobus van Egmont, though the exact date remains unknown. Its title translates to “Young youth, would you like to look at these birds / That very excellently resemble the living." Prints like these were distributed to a wide audience, often playing an important role in education. By teaching children how to recognize and name different species, the print encourages an appreciation of the natural world while simultaneously teaching them their place in the world. The choice of birds as the subject matter is poignant; historically birds have been used as symbols of freedom, peace, and beauty. What can we make of the cultural and social values embedded in this print? How does it frame the relationship between humans and nature, and what does it teach us about the worldview of the time? Perhaps it inspires us to reflect on our own relationship with the environment.