Fowl Skeleton, Lateral View 1795 - 1806

George Stubbs made this drawing of a fowl skeleton in the late 18th or early 19th century. At this time the enlightenment's interest in classifying and understanding the natural world was expressed through scientific illustration. Stubbs’s detailed anatomical studies of animals, particularly horses, reflect this intersection of art and science. However, his work transcends mere scientific documentation, venturing into the realm of aesthetic expression. As an artist Stubbs was interested in the emotional depth and individuality of the animals he depicted. While seemingly objective, Stubbs’s skeletal drawings can be viewed through the lens of mortality and existence. The fragile, exposed bones remind us of the delicate balance between life and death, and the transient nature of existence. His images provoke reflection on the shared fate of all living beings, as we contemplate the underlying structures that support life.