Sheep c. 18th century

Curator: This is "Sheep," an etching by Alexandre Hyacinthe Dunouy. The work is currently housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's stark. The lines are spare but precise, giving a sense of quiet observation. Curator: It's interesting to view this through a postcolonial lens. The sheep, a symbol of pastoral innocence, is set against a backdrop that hints at agricultural labor and land use. Editor: The interplay of light and shadow is subtle but effective. Note how the hatching defines the sheep's wool and creates a sense of volume. Curator: The artist is speaking to the relationship between humans, animals, and land, but also perhaps, of exploitation and control. Editor: Looking closely, you can really appreciate the control Dunouy has over the etching process. Curator: It certainly invites reflection on the political dimensions embedded within seemingly simple pastoral scenes. Editor: Yes, and technically quite proficient, a lovely testament to line and form.