DOI Heft:
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DOI Artikel:Paszkiewicz, Piotr: Noctural bird of wisdom: symbolic functions of the owl in emblems
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18898#0081
12. C. Saftleven, Peasant Musicians, Dresden, Gemaldegaleiie (after W. Bernt, Die Nieder-
landischen Maler des 17. Jahrhunderls, III, Miinchcn, 1948)
clergyman Jacobus Scepcrus wrote in 166 5 50. Wine was often called the „milk of Vcnus" and
its role as a sexually stimulating factor Was mentioned by the well-known 17th centuty doctor
Johan van Beverwyck, for instance51.
Of the early German examples presenting the owi as a symbol of debauchery, let us mention
the letter „G" in the Alphabet of Figures by Master E.S. The combination of figures making
up the letter consists of a monk, two nuns, a dog, two monkeys and an owi. The symbolism of
the animals (both the dog and the monkey personify sexual desire) is strengthened by the people's
behaviour. The monk, who is depicted with a bare bottom, caresses one of the nuns who, in turn,
touches a monkey. With his other hand, the monk strokes the owl's wing.
The motif of the owi as an erotic symbol appears also in 15th and 16th century Duteh painting.
It is present in numerous paintings by Bosch and his imitators, as for instance in the triptych
50. Quoted after Tot Lering en Vermaak, op, cii., p. 248.
51. id.
75
landischen Maler des 17. Jahrhunderls, III, Miinchcn, 1948)
clergyman Jacobus Scepcrus wrote in 166 5 50. Wine was often called the „milk of Vcnus" and
its role as a sexually stimulating factor Was mentioned by the well-known 17th centuty doctor
Johan van Beverwyck, for instance51.
Of the early German examples presenting the owi as a symbol of debauchery, let us mention
the letter „G" in the Alphabet of Figures by Master E.S. The combination of figures making
up the letter consists of a monk, two nuns, a dog, two monkeys and an owi. The symbolism of
the animals (both the dog and the monkey personify sexual desire) is strengthened by the people's
behaviour. The monk, who is depicted with a bare bottom, caresses one of the nuns who, in turn,
touches a monkey. With his other hand, the monk strokes the owl's wing.
The motif of the owi as an erotic symbol appears also in 15th and 16th century Duteh painting.
It is present in numerous paintings by Bosch and his imitators, as for instance in the triptych
50. Quoted after Tot Lering en Vermaak, op, cii., p. 248.
51. id.
75