Twaalf vogels before 1669

Henri Le Roy created this print titled 'Twelve Birds' in the early 17th century using etching. The image is a window into the early modern era's fascination with the natural world, driven by global exploration and burgeoning scientific curiosity. The print showcases an array of bird species, some of which would have been exotic and newly encountered by Europeans. It is likely that Le Roy never saw these birds in the wild. The birds are presented as specimens for study, reflecting a shift towards empirical observation that underpinned the scientific revolution. The attention to detail and composition invites us to consider the social and intellectual context in which such images were produced and consumed. These birds act as symbols of a world that was rapidly expanding and becoming interconnected. This print speaks to how knowledge about the natural world was collected, circulated, and interpreted through the lens of European society, shaping our understanding of the world and its inhabitants.