['Head of a Macaw', 'Head of a Parrot'] 1725 - 1792

Aert Schouman created 'Head of a Macaw', now at the Rijksmuseum, using watercolor and gouache. The macaw's head dominates, its vibrant red plumage immediately catching the eye. Schouman masterfully uses line and color to define the texture of the feathers, creating a palpable sense of depth and volume. Note how the artist directs our focus with the curvature of the beak and the discerning gaze of the bird. The composition is far from simple documentation. The choice to isolate the head against a stark background encourages us to consider the macaw not merely as a subject of natural history, but as a study in form and texture. The close-up perspective challenges conventional ways of seeing, inviting a deeper engagement with the bird's intrinsic qualities. It is in this intersection of art and science that Schouman destabilizes the boundaries of both, compelling us to re-evaluate our understanding.