Uil vliegt uit lessenaar 1718

Bernard Picart created this engraving, "Owl flying out of the lectern" sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. As the Enlightenment dawned, questioning traditional authority, this image critiques religious and academic institutions, portraying their representatives as comically inept and easily startled. The owl bursting forth is a powerful symbol. Historically, the owl represented wisdom, but here, its emergence disrupts the established order, challenging the presumed knowledge of these figures. The men's exaggerated reactions – shock, fear, and confusion – expose a vulnerability that speaks volumes about the shifting power dynamics of the era. Are they truly enlightened, or merely clinging to outdated beliefs? The overturned desk and scattered objects further suggest a world thrown into disarray, ripe for intellectual and social upheaval. It's a moment of both humor and profound questioning, reflecting the era's broader struggle between tradition and progress. The personal and emotional dimensions, captured in these characters' faces, reminds us that societal change is always deeply felt.