Young Bull c. 19th century

Curator: This is François Auguste Trichon's "Young Bull", now residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. The printmaking process allows us to see the incredible detail of the scene. Editor: It feels pastoral, almost melancholic. The storm clouds gathering on the horizon really give it a sense of impending change. Curator: Note how the artist meticulously renders the textures – from the rough bark of the tree to the thick wool of the sheep. The means of production, engraving, also allowed for wide distribution of the image. Editor: And the farmer, leaning against the tree – is he a symbol of man's dominion over nature, or a part of it? How was this imagery received by the urban audiences who would've purchased this work? Curator: Perhaps both. Considering the era, images like these shaped understandings of rural life, connecting consumer and the consumed. Editor: It's interesting to see how seemingly simple images reflect broader societal narratives about labor, land, and the natural world.