Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Unveils "Crawly Creatures" Exhibition: Art, Science, and Changing Perceptions
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is presenting "Crawly Creatures," an exhibition that delves into the evolving perceptions of insects, spiders, and amphibians through art and science. Running from September 30, 2022, to January 15, 2023, the exhibit brings together over a thousand examples of these "tiny beasties," showcasing how they have been depicted and understood across centuries.
Visitors can explore a diverse collection ranging from vibrant butterflies and intricate spiders to intriguing toads. The exhibition reveals how these creatures, once associated with darker themes, captivated the imaginations of artists and scientists alike, including notable figures such as Albrecht Dürer, Wenzel Jamnitzer, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, and Maria Sibylla Merian.
From Medieval Fear to Artistic Fascination
Historically, these creatures were often linked to death and the devil, appearing in medieval art as symbols of evil or merely as marginal decorative elements. A widespread belief in the spontaneous generation of such life from decaying matter reinforced these negative views. However, a gradual shift in perspective began in the 15th and 16th centuries. As their aesthetic qualities gained appreciation, these animals started to be recognized as examples of nature's beauty, slowly moving from the margins to the central focus of artistic works. A prime illustration of this change is Albrecht Dürer's 1505 drawing of a stag beetle, which is a highlight of this exhibition.
The 16th century also saw an increase in the popularity of crawly creatures in European royal courts' cabinets of curiosities (wunderkammers). The exhibition features extraordinary life casts and other items from these collections, including highlights from the Habsburg emperor's wunderkammer. The invention of the microscope further propelled scientific interest, revealing a previously unseen world and leading to discoveries about reproduction and metamorphosis. The exhibition also features significant works by naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian, who traveled to Suriname to document insect metamorphosis through drawings, with several of her esteemed works from the Royal Collection Trust on display. The "sottobosco" (forest-floor still life) genre, pioneered by Otto Marseus van Schrieck, emerged around 1650, merging art and scientific observation by making reptiles and insects central subjects.
Contemporary Art and Ecological Awareness
In recent decades, the role of these creatures in Earth's ecology has gained crucial recognition. "Crawly Creatures" extends its narrative to contemporary art, critically examining the human-animal relationship through modern installations.
The exhibition includes "Gravitational solitary semi-social solitary solitary Choreography LHS 477" (2019) by artist Tomás Saraceno, a unique spider/web sculpture woven by multiple spider species that occupies an entire gallery. Saraceno and the Arachnophilia community have also penned "An Open Letter for Invertebrate Rights," advocating for the recognition and respect of spider/webs' rights within the museum. In a commitment to this message, certain public areas of the Rijksmuseum will have limited cleaning during the exhibition to allow spiders to weave their webs freely.
Additionally, Colombian artist Rafael Gomezbarros presents his installation "Casa Tomada" (2008-present), featuring hundreds of ants occupying public spaces from floor to ceiling. This powerful work uses the ant as a symbol of resilience and cooperation, drawing attention to themes of migration and forced displacement, and continuing a long tradition of insects symbolizing urgent social issues.
Planning Your Visit to the Rijksmuseum
The "Crawly Creatures" exhibition is housed in the Phillips Wing of the Rijksmuseum. An accompanying book, compiled by Jan de Hond, Eric Jorink, and Hans Mulder, is available. The museum also offers selected English-language programs, including an artist talk and guided tours. The exhibition design for "Crawly Creatures" was conceived by Theun Mosk, who also designed the Clara the Rhinoceros exhibit.
Tickets for the exhibition became available in late August 2022 via the Rijksmuseum website, where visitors are advised to book a specific start time for their visit.
For more information on current and upcoming displays at the Rijksmuseum and other cultural institutions, explore the various exhibitions listed on Musemap (musemap.art). You can also discover other museums in Amsterdam to enhance your cultural journey.
