Moths 1705 - 1771

This is an ink on paper drawing of moths that belongs to a tradition of natural history illustration. The identity of the artist remains a mystery. This drawing captures a moment of transformation, depicting moths, a caterpillar and a cocoon. There is an emphasis on observation and documentation, yet the composition also suggests a deeper meditation on the life cycle. What does it mean to observe and record nature with such detail? What emotional connection does the artist have to their subject? The fact that the artist is unknown also raises interesting questions about the role of authorship, and the place of women artists in the scientific field. Is this the work of someone who was perhaps excluded from receiving formal recognition? Consider the act of close looking that is depicted here. What can the transformation of a moth tell us about our own changing identities, our own potential for metamorphosis? How do we relate to the world around us?