Plate 144 Small Green Crested Flycatcher 

Editor: Here we have "Plate 144 Small Green Crested Flycatcher," attributed to John James Audubon; it looks like watercolor and some sort of drawing media on paper. There is a feeling of detailed observation combined with an almost idealized natural setting. What do you see in this piece from a historical point of view? Curator: Well, looking at Audubon, we need to think about the context of natural history illustration within a rapidly expanding nation. Works like these played a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of the American wilderness. Audubon's work contributed significantly to the romanticized image of untamed landscapes that fueled both national pride and, paradoxically, environmental exploitation. Editor: Exploitation? I see pretty birds! Curator: Consider how these images, seemingly benign representations of nature, functioned in a society grappling with westward expansion and industrialization. By depicting these birds with such detail and, some might argue, affection, Audubon's images fostered a sense of ownership and control over the natural world, legitimizing its appropriation for economic gain. What impact do you think it had at the time, to see birds documented in this way? Editor: Hmm, I guess people would feel more connected to these birds by knowing what they looked like. It brings nature to them, so that they'd care if they vanished. So this kind of scientific documentation, could be helpful for both conservation and consumption? Curator: Exactly! The image could also create distance through knowledge, so nature can become an object to study, to name, and ultimately, to commodify. Audubon's project was ambitious. His illustrations naturalize a developing economic landscape and a culture being driven to remake itself. Editor: It is fascinating how an image can be both beautiful and carry a political and historical burden. I learned a lot thinking about its purpose back in the day! Curator: Likewise. Considering the political ramifications has given me some new ways of appreciating this artwork!