Het Gezicht (The Sense of Sight) - Salomon Savery

An allegorical etching by Salomon Savery representing the sense of sight, featuring an elderly man observing an owl.

This etching by Salomon Savery belongs to a series depicting the Five Senses, a popular subject in seventeenth-century Dutch art. In this composition, the sense of sight is represented by an elderly man seated in a simple wooden chair, peering through spectacles at an owl perched on a bare branch. The inclusion of the owl, a creature traditionally associated with wisdom and keen vision, provides a clear iconographic link to the theme of sight.

Savery employs a precise, linear technique characteristic of the period. The cross-hatching on the man's clothing and the chair creates a sense of volume and texture, while the sparse background keeps the focus on the interaction between the human figure and the bird. The title, 'T. Gesicht', appears at the top of the print, identifying the subject for the viewer. The man's posture, with his hands clasped and his gaze fixed, suggests a moment of quiet observation.

As a member of the Savery family of artists, Salomon was well-versed in the printmaking traditions of the Netherlands. His work often reflects the interest of the era in moralising themes and the classification of human experience. This print offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the Dutch Golden Age, where everyday objects and figures were frequently used to convey philosophical or allegorical meanings. The print is executed with a clarity that allows the viewer to appreciate the fine details of the etching process, from the texture of the man's hat to the feathers of the owl. It remains a representative example of how artists of the time translated abstract concepts into accessible, narrative imagery.