The Satyr Tragopan 1918 - 1922

Archibald Thorburn painted "The Satyr Tragopan" sometime between 1860 and 1935. It depicts two of these remarkable birds in their natural habitat. Thorburn was one of the leading British bird painters of his day, known for his meticulous detail and scientific accuracy. But such paintings weren't just about science, they were also about empire. As the British expanded their colonial reach across the globe, images of exotic flora and fauna became highly sought after. Birds, in particular, were potent symbols of imperial power. Paintings and prints of birds were displayed in homes and museums, serving as trophies of British exploration and domination. Thorburn's images, while seemingly innocent, thus participated in a broader cultural project of claiming and classifying the natural world. Understanding this history requires us to look beyond the image itself, researching the social and political context in which it was made. In doing so, we can begin to appreciate the complex ways in which art reflects and reinforces power structures.