Monogrammist MH: An owl dressed as a soldier and a pilgrim (1500 - 1549)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Two engraving made by an unknown 16th century Dutch artist with the notname 'Monogrammist or master MH' (named after the initials MH he used to sign his work). In Ancient Greece the owl was the symbol of the goddess Athena and seen as a symbol of wisdom. In the middle ages however the owl gained a somewhat more sinister reputation. As owls are active at night and virtually blind by day, the bird was seen as a evil creature which choose darkness over light. It was associated with stupidity, deceit and shady activities. Hunters used owls to lure birds: they would tie an owl and make a screaming sound. Other birds would come and try to chase they owl away during which they were captured by the hunter. The birds were thus caught by their 'virtue'. These negative associations are linked here with a pilgrim and a soldier, both also had negative associations (a lot of pilgrims misbehaved themselves during their journey). Engravings from around 1500-1549.