Studies of Birds (recto); Village Scene with Skaters (verso) 1648 - 1692

Albert Flamen created these studies of birds, recto, and a village scene with skaters, verso, sometime in the 17th century, on a sheet using pen, brown ink, and brown wash. During this period in European history, society was strictly hierarchical, and knowledge of the natural world was a marker of education and status. This sheet encapsulates the spirit of scientific inquiry that swept through Europe during the 17th century. Flamen’s detailed and careful renderings of various bird species reflect a growing interest in cataloging and understanding the natural world. He does not present a traditional representation of nature; instead, he develops a scientific narrative. The presence of both studies of birds and a village scene on a single sheet suggests a fluidity between scientific observation and everyday life. This piece offers a glimpse into the mind of an artist navigating the intersection of science, art, and society in a rapidly changing world.