Two owls dressed in elaborate human clothing glide across a frozen Dutch landscape in this unusual seventeenth-century print attributed to Adriaen Matham, after a painting by Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne. Titled Schaatsende uilen (Skating Owls), the scene transforms an ordinary winter activity into a humorous animal allegory illustrating the Dutch proverb Soort zoekt soort — "Birds of a feather flock together." Its imaginative combination of animal characters, historical costumes, and Dutch folklore makes this reproduction a distinctive addition to collections of fantastical creatures, satirical art, and unusual historical illustrations.
The print depicts a pair of anthropomorphic owls skating together on a frozen landscape, dressed in elaborate seventeenth-century clothing.
Their human-like poses, decorative garments, and ice skates create an amusing contrast with their unmistakably birdlike faces and bodies.
A Dutch inscription, Hoe passen wy by een ("How well we suit each other"), reinforces the humorous relationship between the two characters.
The detailed engraving combines fine linework, expressive animal features, and a traditional Dutch winter setting.
The image illustrates the Dutch saying Soort zoekt soort, meaning "Like attracts like" or "Birds of a feather flock together."
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Two owls: Companionship and the tendency of similar individuals to associate with one another.
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Human clothing: Anthropomorphism, humor, and the imitation of human society.
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Ice skating: A familiar Dutch winter pastime transformed into an imaginary scene.
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Dutch inscription: A playful reference to the compatibility of the two characters.
Rather than depicting frightening monsters, the artwork uses fantastical animal figures to create a humorous commentary on human relationships.
Created between 1620 and 1660, this print is attributed to Dutch printmaker Adriaen Matham, after a composition by Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne (1589–1662).
Van de Venne was known for his satirical subjects, allegorical imagery, and humorous depictions of everyday life.
Anthropomorphic animals were a familiar feature of early modern European art, often used to illustrate popular sayings and human behavior.
- Reproduction of Skating Owls (Schaatsende uilen)
- Historical Dutch print attributed to Adriaen Matham
- After a painting by Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne
- Original artwork dated approximately 1620–1660
- Two anthropomorphic owls wearing historical clothing and ice skates
- Dutch proverb Soort zoekt soort illustrated through humorous animal characters
- Original Dutch inscription preserved within the composition
- Detailed seventeenth-century engraving with fine linework
- Original artwork held in the Rijksmuseum collection
- Giclée printing on archival paper
- Smooth matte finish
- Available in multiple sizes
- Artwork proportionally scaled to preserve the original composition
- Supplied unframed
- Slight production size tolerance of approximately ±1/16 inch
Handle with clean, dry hands. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and moisture. Gently remove surface dust with a clean, dry cloth.
