Vogels vangen, vishengel en wortels oogsten 1730

Bernard Picart created this print, "Vogels vangen, vishengel en wortels oogsten," sometime between 1693 and 1733, demonstrating various methods of catching food. Picart was a French engraver who worked across Europe. Prints like this one, made in the Netherlands, offer insights into 18th-century society, revealing both practical knowledge and underlying assumptions about the natural world. The detailed depiction of hunting and fishing techniques speaks to a culture deeply connected to the land. However, the print also reflects the social hierarchy of the time. Hunting was often associated with the upper classes, while fishing and harvesting were seen as more common activities. The print, therefore, provides a glimpse into the economic structures and social practices of the Dutch Republic. Examining prints like this one, alongside historical texts and other visual sources, helps us understand the complex relationship between humans and their environment in the past. It reminds us that art is not created in a vacuum, but reflects the values and beliefs of the society in which it is made.