oil on canvas, h 144cm × w 171cm

Located in the Gallery of Honour

Asselijn, who rarely painted wildlife subjects, discovered this confrontation while sketching along Amsterdam's waterways, turning this observation of nature into a potent symbol of protective courage. Asselijn captures the fierce maternal instinct of a swan protecting its nest against an approaching predator. "The swan's raised wings form a shield of feathered armour, radiating both vulnerability and strength in perfect tension," notes contemporary art critic Eleanor Heartney.