Merkwaardige dieren / Animaux remarquables 1866 - 1902

Franciscus Antonius Beersmans created this print, 'Merkwaardige dieren / Animaux remarquables,' with an array of intriguing shapes and colours. Each animal is presented within its own framed space, inviting a focused observation of its form. The composition is structured into four distinct quadrants, each featuring an animal set against a stylized landscape. Note how Beersmans employs a limited palette to define the textures and contours of the creatures. The animals share colours that seem arbitrary, yet unify them. The use of colour is particularly striking, disrupting conventional representation. This disruption invites us to consider the image not as a mere depiction of animals, but as a field for exploring colour, form, and semiotics. Consider how the structural arrangement of the print, with its clear divisions and imaginative coloring, encourages us to question the boundaries between art, science, and representation. This piece destabilizes our expectations, challenging us to look beyond the surface.