Bison 1829 - 1880

Editor: This drawing, simply titled "Bison," is attributed to firma Joseph Scholz and dates sometime between 1829 and 1880. It's made with colored pencils, and there's something both grand and melancholy about it. What symbols or deeper meanings do you see here? Curator: Well, consider the bison itself. Historically, what does that animal represent to different cultures? Think about indigenous populations of North America. The bison isn't just a source of food and materials, but also a spiritual figure, right? Editor: Absolutely, a symbol of life, strength, and provision. Curator: Exactly. And during this period, 1829-1880, what was happening to bison populations? How might this image function as a memorial or call to preserve? Note the tension between the lush field and its future; there is another bison fading into the landscape in the background. Do you see a hint of foreboding? Editor: I do now. It makes me think about loss and the impact of westward expansion. The bison becomes a symbol of a vanishing way of life. Curator: Precisely. And consider how the colored pencils lend a certain softness, even fragility, to such a powerful creature. What sort of tension exists between medium and subject? Does this connect with anything we have discussed? Editor: That's fascinating! It does add another layer – the delicate rendering contrasts with the bison's robust nature, underlining its vulnerability. Curator: And that's the power of symbolism, isn't it? It's not just what you see, but what it evokes. Editor: I agree! Looking at it through that lens, it definitely gives the artwork so much more resonance. Thank you.