Jan Brueghel the Elder Painted Bat Eating Bird 400 Years Before Scientists
A 17th-century painting by Flemish artist Jan Brueghel the Elder, titled "L'Air" (The Air), depicts a greater noctule bat carrying a passerine bird in its mouth. This observation predates scientific documentation of such predatory behavior by four centuries. The discovery highlights how classical artworks can serve as historical records of biodiversity.
Key facts
- Jan Brueghel the Elder painted 'L'Air' in the 17th century
- The painting shows a greater noctule bat with a passerine bird in its mouth
- This behavior was scientifically documented only recently
- The artwork predates scientific records by about 400 years
- The discovery was reported by Le Monde on July 3, 2026
- Classical artworks can provide information on historical biodiversity
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Le Monde