Twee vogels: een appelvink (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) en een keep (Fringilla montifringilla) 1752

Editor: So, here we have Aert Schouman's "Two Birds: A Hawfinch and a Brambling," a watercolor from 1752 housed at the Rijksmuseum. It has such a delicate quality, like a fleeting observation. How would you interpret this work? Curator: Consider how birds, across cultures, often embody freedom, the soul, or act as messengers. Here, we have two distinct species depicted within a specific landscape. Note the windmill—a symbol of Dutch prosperity and ingenuity. Do you see how the birds, placed in relation to the landscape, might reflect on the human and natural worlds of the time? Editor: That's interesting. The Brambling seems to be looking down, while the Hawfinch gazes upwards, almost towards the sky. Could that have some significance? Curator: Precisely! That visual contrast directs our eyes, creating a narrative. Is one bird grounded, focused on earthly concerns, while the other aspires to something more? In the 18th century, scientific illustration was emerging, aiming for objective representation, yet these artistic choices add a layer of symbolism. Think of these birds as stand-ins for different aspects of human nature. Editor: So it’s more than just a pretty picture of birds; it’s also a commentary on humanity? Curator: Visual symbols work on many levels. It could also allude to social hierarchies, or the relationship between observation and aspiration, mirrored by the birds’ gazes. Schouman isn’t simply recording, but imbuing meaning. What do you take away from that? Editor: I hadn’t considered all the symbolic weight, beyond just appreciating the artwork's Rococo lightness. Curator: These images continue to speak across centuries precisely because they touch upon universal themes using enduring symbols.