Highlights
The Bird of self-knowledge
- Artist
- –
- Locality
- South Germany
- Date
- mid-18th century
- Material
- Hardwood
- Dimensions
- H. 34.5 cm
- Location
- Currently not on display
- Inventory Number
- D 499
- Acquisition
- –
- Epoch
- Baroque and Rococo
- Categories
- Sculpture
Description
At first glance, the enigmatic motif is composed of a fool's head and a bird whose neck seems to grow out of the head and pinches the fool's nose. The allegorical figure of the "bird of self-knowledge" goes back to an Augsburg copperplate engraving that was widely distributed throughout Europe in the 17th century. As a fantastic hybrid creature - half human, half animal - the motif was very popular at the time of the Enlightenment: Know thyself and free yourself from your dependency! The figure was attached as an ornament to the front of a sleigh and quite obviously illustrated a life motto of the owner.
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