Alcedo, Martin-pescheur (The Kingfisher), from "Livre d'Oyseaux" (Book of Birds) 1650 - 1665

Editor: So, this etching is by Albert Flamen from around the mid-17th century, titled "Alcedo, Martin-pescheur (The Kingfisher), from Livre d'Oyseaux". I find the depiction of the kingfishers so evocative, but there's a starkness to it. What symbolic meanings are embedded in these birds for you? Curator: The kingfisher! Its cultural resonance is quite compelling. Throughout history, the kingfisher has often symbolized peace, prosperity, and tranquility, owing in part to the myth of "halcyon days," a period of calm weather associated with the bird's nesting time near the winter solstice. Does seeing them flying together, perhaps evoke notions of freedom and abundance? Editor: Yes, certainly! The birds in flight do lend a sense of liberation, though they appear rather isolated, floating amidst the unadorned landscape. Were these symbolic associations of kingfishers common during the 17th century? Curator: Absolutely. In emblem books and other visual programs of the time, birds, including the kingfisher, carried considerable weight. Their behaviours were often interpreted moralistically or allegorically. Also consider, the landscape isn't merely scenery; it’s a stage, each element potentially contributing to the overall meaning. How do the reeds and the lack of strong sunlight alter your perception? Editor: They definitely add to that feeling of quietude that I initially felt. Knowing this bird also stands for peace provides a compelling through-line. I'll definitely be looking at landscapes in a new way from now on! Curator: Precisely! The continuous unveiling of symbolic threads that images weave—it truly transforms how we see, and remember, art and nature, even across centuries.