Drie ganzen 1610 - 1653

Simon de Vlieger made this etching called 'Drie ganzen', or 'Three Geese', sometime in the mid-17th century, a period when the Dutch Republic was a global trading power. Domesticated animals were often featured in Dutch art, symbolizing prosperity and the taming of nature. Yet, this etching, in its detailed observation, captures a quiet intimacy. The geese aren’t merely symbols, but individuals, each with its own posture and presence. The choice to depict these creatures with such care raises questions about the relationship between humans and animals, about the gaze, and about the value we assign to different forms of life. There’s a stillness in this work that invites reflection. Are we looking at a pastoral scene or a commentary on the social order of the time? De Vlieger’s geese, rendered with such tenderness, challenge us to consider the complex layers of meaning embedded in the everyday.