Teale; Duck; Feasant; Hawke; Cormorant; Bittour; Owle 

Editor: This is Francis Barlow's print depicting various birds, it's teeming with life! It's a lively scene, but there's also an element of predator versus prey. What can you tell us about its place within the context of art history? Curator: It is fascinating how Barlow brings the life of birds in detailed environments! Prints like these became increasingly popular as they democratized access to natural history. What do you think about the implied power dynamics depicted? Editor: Well, the cormorant swallowing the fish is pretty striking. It’s nature as both beautiful and brutal. Curator: Exactly! Barlow presents the natural world as both a source of wonder and a theater of conflict, reflecting evolving attitudes toward nature and its relationship with human society in the 17th century. Editor: That’s given me a lot to think about regarding how we perceive and portray the natural world. Curator: It challenges the viewer to consider their place within this grand narrative, doesn't it?