File:College of Animals by Cornelis Saftleven.png

English: Saftleven's painting is a satire of academic activities. In the painting, a donkey looks like it's falling asleep while reading a book, and a pig on the ground is more interested in smoking than having intelligent discussions. There are playing cards scattered around, which suggests that people are wasting time instead of being productive. Animal satires like this were popular in the 17th century in the Netherlands, but Saftleven's painting is unique because it includes images related to witchcraft and magic. For example, there are bones hanging from a tree trunk, and there is a strange owl sitting on a skull. The painting may also refer to literature or events happening at that time, as Saftleven made another painting based on a political play. All of these elements suggest that the painting had a deeper meaning for the people in the 17th century, but we don't know exactly what that meaning was today.