“Nest of Owls,” executed by the acclaimed artist Hieronymus Bosch circa 1505 to 1516, is an exquisite sketch rendered in pen on paper. This remarkable piece is a product of the Northern Renaissance and falls within the genre of sketch and study. Today, it resides within the esteemed collection of the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork depicts a serene yet intricately detailed scene featuring a nest of owls. Dominating the composition is a large, gnarled tree rendered with delicate and precise linework. In the heart of the tree is a nest, occupied by two owls. One of the owls is spreading its wings, suggesting motion or readiness to take flight, while the other remains perched within the cavity of the tree. The background and surrounding branches are lightly sketched, focusing the viewer’s attention on the central subjects. Bosch’s skillful use of pen creates a textural contrast, bringing life to the owls’ feathers and the rugged bark of the tree while maintaining the ethereal quality of this quiet, natural moment.
