Panel 1875 - 1885

This panel, now at the Met, was made in Paris by the Firm of Ferdinand Duvinage sometime in the 19th century. This firm specialized in elaborate wood marquetry, a craft often associated with luxury and high society. Consider the labor and skill involved in creating such an intricate design. Each piece of wood was carefully selected, cut, and placed to form the image of a bird amid foliage. This process reflects a deep understanding of the material and a dedication to craftsmanship, yet it also raises questions about accessibility and privilege. Who had the means to commission and enjoy such a work? Whose labor was involved in producing it? The naturalistic scene—a bird in a tranquil setting—invites contemplation and escape from the urban, industrializing world. At the same time, this idealized vision of nature obscures the realities of environmental exploitation and social inequality that were also part of 19th-century life. Through its beauty and artifice, the panel reminds us to consider the complex relationships between art, nature, and society.