painting butterflies

Written by The Butterfly Foundation

Butterflies have inspired artists since the Middle Ages. For example, the little fox can be seen on works by famous painters such as Hans Memling and Jeronimus Bosch. It is amazing that this butterfly has survived all these centuries, down to our time.

But it is by no means certain that this beautiful butterfly will survive the coming centuries. On the contrary! The little fox, once a home garden and kitchen butterfly, is less and less seen. And that also applies to many other butterflies that flew around in large numbers in nature and in gardens until the last century.

How is it possible that an animal like the little fox, known in our country for centuries, is still so little seen? It has to do with the way we interact with nature. With large-scale agriculture. With wrong roadside management. With climate change.
Flower meadows have disappeared, swept away by land consolidation and intensification. Food plants for caterpillars are becoming increasingly scarce. Many suitable places have had to make way for houses, roads, industry and agriculture. Not only the little fox, but almost all butterfly species suffer from this. Fifteen butterfly species have already disappeared from our country in the last century, and a number of others await the same fate within a few years.

Of course it's nice to save those beautiful butterflies - with or without a little help - from obscurity by painting them, just like the old masters did. But it is also important to ensure that the butterflies are protected, to create the conditions for their survival. And that is what The Butterfly Foundation does. Only if everyone helps us will people continue to be amazed for centuries to come that those vulnerable and colorful critters you captured are still fluttering around.

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How can you help butterflies?

The Butterfly Foundation protects butterflies and dragonflies in the Netherlands and Europe. For example through research and advice on policy and management, so that the living conditions of butterflies and dragonflies improve. This increases the survival chances of butterflies and dragonflies and protects endangered species. We share our knowledge with everyone who can help us achieve our goal: a nature full of butterflies and dragonflies.

The Butterfly Foundation does not receive any structural subsidies. That is why we appeal to everyone who loves butterflies like us to support our conservation work.

How can you help?

• Support with a gift
• Become a donor
• Set up your garden for butterflies
• Include The Butterfly Foundation in your will

www.vlinderstichting.nl