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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

Adriaen van de Venne, Skating Owls, adultery, Copenhagen

College

Fine Arts and Communications

Department

Art

Abstract

Although some scholars think that Skating Owls (1620-1660) by Adriaen van de Venne (Fig. 1) is solely a lighthearted piece, I have found that through his use of iconographic imagery and well-known proverbs, van de Venne was able to generate a work of art intended to portray a moralizing message condemning the vice of adultery and warning the male audience about the dangers of cunning women. It was imperative for my thesis to see the artwork in person to conduct further research and gain a greater knowledge about the artwork’s purpose. Very little is known or has been published on Skating Owls, but through my field study on the original piece and print, I have found evidence which strengthens my original argument.

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