In the summer, I visit farms to observe animals, especially cows in the meadows, and to capture their behavior and character in sketches. Later, I develop these sketches into oil paintings in my studio. During my journeys through the countryside, I also take pleasure in observing other animals, such as meadow birds like the godwit, and waterfowl such as the mute swans in the ditches. These swans often build their nests at the edge or in the corner of the meadow.
Although some farmers would rather see the mute swans leave due to their substantial droppings, the farmers I visit leave the swans in peace because they find the nuisance minimal.
Unfortunately, the practice of “swan drifting” still exists. This is an old tradition in the Netherlands where a swan keeper, known as a zwanendrifter, keeps several pairs of mute swans across a region. Although their habitats are not fenced, the swans cannot fly away because their wing bone is clipped at a young age (a process known as pinioning). The swans nest, and once the eggs have hatched, the cygnets are also pinioned and released. When the young swans are nearly adults, the ‘harvest season’ begins: the swan keeper catches the swans using a long pole with a hook at the end, causing much commotion and panic. The young swans are then slaughtered for their meat, skin, down, and feathers, or sold as ornamental birds, often to foreign countries, where they end up in cramped wooden cages. A sad fate for such beautiful creatures, isn’t it?
By painting the swans, I hope to highlight their beauty and vulnerability. My art is a tribute to the swans and a plea for their protection.
UPDATE: Swan Drifting in the Netherlands Today
Swan drifting is no longer permitted in the Netherlands. In 2017, this practice was officially banned by the Dutch government after years of debate about animal welfare and the ethics of the practice. The ban was implemented because swan drifting conflicts with modern views on animal welfare and the methods used were deemed cruel and unnecessary.I hope this tragic history does not repeat itself and that the swans can continue to live in peace in our beautiful Dutch landscapes. Therefore, I will continue to capture swans in oil paint, ensuring that the story of this cruel past is not forgotten.
