Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium (Hunts of wild animals, birds and fish). Plate 68. Trapping wa...

This print is the work of three major Flemish figures of the late 16th century: the original artist Jan Van der Straet (a.k.a. Stradanus), the engraver Jan Collaert II; and the publisher Philips Galle. The success of Van der Straet's cartoons for a hunting series to decorate the Medici villa at Poggio a Caiano, near Florence (1566-77), led to the leading Flemish publishers Heronymus Cock, and subsequently Galle, to commission related engravings in the 1570s and 1580s. (Galle also engraved/published other works by Van der Straet, including his <em>Crucifixion</em>, in Te Papa's collection).

These proved so popular that in 1596 Galle published the ambitious, 105 plate volume <em>Venationes, ferarum, arium, piscium </em>(Hunts of wild animals, birds and fish), engaging several engravers including Collaert, all based on original drawings by the prolific Van der Straet.  Bird hunts form an important sub-theme. The volume was republished by Philips Galle's son, Johannes, in 1634.

This print depicts men trapping the garden or Orphean or garden warbler, known as the figpecker ('Ficedula' in the Latin inscription). Although as small birds these yield little flesh, consumed en masse particularly when they have been gorging on figs, they bring delight to discerning gourmets. (Or did so over 400 years ago.) The Renaissance Latin inscription, immediately below the image, has been kindly translated by Tim Smith, Victoria University of Wellington: 'The figpecker is a pleasing prize for wet palates. At the start of winter, the ingenious bird-catcher conceals himself in a leafy hiding-place. [Or wears profuse camouflage, as here.] Then, with a tong-like implement, he thrusts at the idling bird from his trap and ensnares the bird.' What is the function of the owls, tied to the posts?  Dr Colin Miskelly of Te Papa explains that this is to attract warblers, who like other small birds, form groups to mob owls if any are so unfortunate as to be spotted in broad daylight. They do so here, only to become trapped. 

See: Chris Michaelis, http://blogs.bl.uk/european/2015/09/joannes-stradanus-and-his-hunting-scenes.html

Dr Mark Stocker           Curator, Historical International Art            March 2017