Friezes with Birds, Flowers and Meandering Wreaths and Scrolls (5) 1600 - 1617

Theodor Bang created this frieze with birds, flowers, and meandering wreaths and scrolls in the 17th century. At the time, the concept of ‘nature’ was undergoing a transformation. Thinkers were beginning to see nature not just as a resource to be managed, but as a complex system with its own intrinsic value. Bang’s freeze is indicative of the changing European sensibilities toward the natural world. It's rendered with fine lines, creating an intricate symmetrical design. At the center, a large bird spreads its wings, flanked by smaller birds, flowers, and curling foliage. Historically, birds and flowers have carried gendered symbolism, birds often associated with freedom and masculinity, and flowers with beauty and femininity. Bang's composition challenges these binaries by intertwining the two within the decorative frieze. This piece feels like an attempt to reconcile humanity and the natural world, mirroring the cultural shifts of its time.