Knaagdieren 1648 - 1691

"Knaagdieren," or "Rodents," is an etching created by Albert Flamen in the 17th century, a time when European exploration and colonialism deeply influenced art and science. This image depicts what were then called "Indian rabbits," or what we know today as guinea pigs, rendered with a naturalist's eye. The guinea pig, native to South America, became a symbol of exotic trade and European scientific curiosity. Flamen’s work reflects an emerging worldview, one in which the natural world was being cataloged and classified, often through the lens of European superiority. The detailed rendering invites us to consider the guinea pig's transformation from indigenous animal to a commodity of scientific interest. As we observe Flamen’s depiction, consider the cultural and economic exchanges that brought these animals into the European consciousness, and the complex interplay of science, colonialism, and the natural world.