Verheugd u / o jeugd / met deze prent / en tekent hem na / dan zijt gij een vent 1555 - 1812

This undated print by Jacobus Thompson, held at the Rijksmuseum, depicts two birds, each rendered with a certain naïve charm. The duck and songbird are not merely zoological studies; they are potent symbols laden with cultural associations. Birds, throughout history, have represented the human soul and the capacity for spiritual transcendence, often symbolizing freedom and divine guidance. In ancient Egypt, for instance, the soul was often depicted as a bird, ready to take flight after death. This echoes in numerous cultures where birds are seen as messengers between the earthly and spiritual realms. Notice how the duck, a creature of both water and earth, embodies adaptability and resourcefulness, qualities admired across civilizations. The songbird, perched delicately on a branch, evokes a sense of fleeting beauty and the transient nature of life, themes deeply explored in Romantic poetry and art. Such recurring motifs are not coincidences but manifestations of a collective unconscious, a shared human experience filtered through the ages. These images resonate with an almost primal force, stirring emotions tied to our deepest memories and longings, and reminding us of our connection with the natural world.