A Long-Tailed Paradise Whydah(Vidua paradisaea) and a Red-Cowled Cardinal (Paroaria dominicana) 

Aert Schouman rendered this watercolor of A Long-Tailed Paradise Whydah and a Red-Cowled Cardinal in the 18th century. The detailed rendering of exotic birds was a popular genre in the Netherlands at this time. It reflected the Dutch Republic's global trade networks and colonial reach. Watercolors like these often served as scientific records and were collected by wealthy patrons interested in natural history. Consider, though, the power dynamics inherent in this type of image. Were the birds native to the Netherlands? Probably not. The detailed rendering also reflects a colonial mindset that saw nature as something to be cataloged, possessed, and controlled. These images, displayed in private collections, reinforced a sense of Dutch mastery over the natural world. To better understand the painting, we can consult ornithological texts, colonial archives, and the artist's biography. This will reveal much about the history of scientific illustration, colonial trade, and the social values reflected in Schouman's art. The image shows how art is always enmeshed in complex social and institutional contexts.