Groep fabelwezens 1617 - 1681

Cornelis Saftleven made this pencil drawing of a group of mythical creatures sometime in the 17th century. These strange hybrid beings, some with human features, others monstrous, offer us a glimpse into the cultural imagination of the Dutch Golden Age. Consider the context in which Saftleven was working. The Dutch Republic was a center of global trade, bringing people into contact with exotic animals and different cultures. It’s possible that this drawing reflects that contact, transforming the Republic into a melting pot of ideas and images. It is also relevant to recall that this was a deeply religious society, and this drawing could also tap into anxieties about temptation and sin. By studying the visual culture of 17th-century Netherlands, we can understand better how this drawing reflects the ideas, beliefs, and social tensions of its time. In understanding this, the art historian is an archaeologist of culture.