Pica Pica
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The story behind the motif
Poster with old illustration of one of Europe's all-time most feared and influential birds - the magpie. On the picture we can read Pica Pica , Latin for the bird species and it was published in the book Swedish Birds After Nature in 1929.
The magpie is one of the most intelligent animals on earth. Based on studies done, their intelligence appears to be on par with chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans. The magpie's intelligence lies in its social patterns, imagination, reasoning ability and ability to predict things. They have complex social rituals and can express grief. They hide and store food and can portion out their food in perfect proportions for their young. In captivity, magpies have been seen imitating human voices.
In Western European folklore and Norse-Germanic mythology, the magpie is associated with a number of superstitions and is seen as an omen of misfortune. However, killing a magpie was believed to bring bad luck in Germany, France and not least Scotland. In Sweden, the magpie was associated with witchcraft, and in Norwegian folklore it was believed to be a cunning bird of the underground being called Huldra.
Illustrator: The Von Wright Brothers | Created: about 1929.
Frame not included.
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Our posters are printed on 230 gsm matte museum-quality paper. The paper has a soft surface with a subtle texture and a warm tone that gives the motifs remarkable depth and rich color reproduction.