Jacht op vogels met een lokuil 1582 - 1633

Philips Galle etched this scene of bird hunting with a decoy owl, sometime between 1537 and 1612. The owl, a creature typically associated with darkness and wisdom, is here used deceptively. Consider how the owl, often linked to Athena, goddess of wisdom, is subverted. Here, it’s an instrument of trickery. This symbol echoes through history, appearing in various guises—from religious iconography to emblems of authority. This deliberate misuse of a potent symbol reveals a deep understanding of the human psyche. The hunters exploit the birds' instincts, much like how persuasive rhetoric can sway minds. It's a reminder that symbols can be manipulated. The image stirs a primal recognition of the interplay between knowledge and deception.