Blad met diverse diersoorten 1733

This 1733 engraving by Jan Caspar Philips, a Dutch artist known for his detailed illustrations of natural history, depicts a variety of exotic animals. The scene is a testament to the growing interest in natural history during the 18th century. The work highlights the artistic skill of Philips, who captured the unique features of each animal with precision. The composition includes a crocodile, hippopotamus, chameleon, and a bird, perhaps an ostrich, arranged in a natural, almost scientific, manner. This engraving, "Blad met diverse diersoorten," is an example of the genre known as "natural history illustration," reflecting the scientific curiosity and aesthetic sensibility of the time. It is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.