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Wonders of Nature - in the Menagerie of Blauw Jan, of Amsterdam, as observed by Jan Velten around 1700
Author(s): F.F.J.M. Pieters and H.H. Veldhuijzen van Zanten (eds) Artis Library, University of Amsterdam in cooperation with ETI.
Type: Photo-CD
Available: PhotoCD available
ISBN: 3540146628
A unique collection of drawings and gouaches on PhotoCD. One of the center pieces of the Artis Library is an amazing collection of about 180 pencil drawings, aquarelles and gouaches dating from the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th century. Depicted are various subjects such as giants and dwarfs, parasitic twins and an acrobat without arms, but also for the time very exotic animals like a flying squirrel, a Sunfish, and a beautiful bug. This collection is known under the title ‘Wonderen der Natuur’ (the miracles of nature) and as the 'Album van Jan Velten', named after the collector of these pictures (who is presumed to have worked on it from 1687 till 1709). Velten was particularly inspired by the ‘Menagerie van Blauw Jan’ which was located at the court of his inn on the Kloveniersburgwal (between 1675 and 1784). Animals and bizarre people who were taken through Europe as attraction drew a lot of attention in those days. After restoration of the plates and photografing them the result is that this unique historic document has a prolonged life expectancy of several centuries if handled with care. This work is now again available for scientific research and, under restricted conditions, also for exhibitions. This project fulfills two important tasks of our libraries. This PhotoCD is an important step forward to open up this beautiful collection for a large public, and it also offers an innovative method for the preservation of our cultural heritage. (Original text in Dutch with English translation)
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Minimum system requirements
PhotoCD-compatible CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD or DVD player
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