Trommelaar 1655 - 1700

Jan van Somer crafted this print depicting two musicians. Note the man wearing a cap with an owl perched on his shoulder; traditionally, the owl symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. However, there's a twist. In earlier times, the owl was also associated with darkness, ignorance, and foolishness, especially when depicted alongside jesters or common folk, hinting at a mockery of intellect. This duality is fascinating. Consider how ancient Greek depictions of Athena, goddess of wisdom, often featured an owl, linking the bird to higher knowledge. Yet, in folk traditions, particularly in Northern Europe, the owl's nocturnal habits made it a symbol of the occult, feared and misunderstood. This image presents an interplay between high and low culture, wisdom and folly. The artist taps into our collective memory, inviting us to question established symbols. It is a symbol that resurfaces, evolving and adapting through time.