Ratten, katten en vossen 1583

This 1583 etching by Abraham de Bruyn, titled "Ratten, katten en vossen", depicts a scene with multiple animals in a wooded landscape. In the foreground, a group of rats scamper beneath a large tree, while three leopards and two foxes interact in the center, with the leopards appearing to be hunting or playing. The scene is set against a backdrop of a distant castle, suggesting a sense of hierarchy and social order within the natural world. De Bruyn, a prolific artist known for his detailed animal studies, captures the unique characteristics of each species with remarkable precision. This intricate artwork exemplifies the rich tradition of animal representation in Dutch art.