Some years ago a mid 18th century ceiling painting was removed from its frame for restauration, revealing a ceiling filled with birds for the first time in centuries. Eighteenth century fashion had changed the taste for these kind of decorations into a more classical orientated imagery, while Amsterdam had changed from a city of tradesmen and shipping companies into an economy of bankers, people with an urge to show off a certain amount of cultural bagage. A process also known as the artistocratization of the Dutch elite. In recent years seventeenth century birds like these beauties have popped up from behind the plaster on several occasions.