The Falcon c. 1834

Curator: Edwin Landseer, the celebrated painter of animals, created this oil on panel work, entitled "The Falcon." Editor: It feels like a secret, doesn’t it? All that muted color… the figures emerging from shadow. It’s tender and a little sad somehow. Curator: Landseer was often commissioned by the aristocracy, and images of falconry were quite popular. The sport was highly ritualized, reflecting the social hierarchy. Editor: Right, but there’s something about the way the woman gently holds the bird… and that little dog staring up. It suggests a connection that transcends social status. Curator: Perhaps. Landseer, despite his popularity, often used his animal paintings to subtly critique social norms. Editor: Absolutely! This makes me think about the complicated ways that humans and animals connect, particularly within systems of power. So much going on here. Curator: Indeed. Landseer invites us to reconsider our relationship with the natural world.