Two Boars c. 1873

Curator: This is "Two Boars" by Karl Bodmer, a plate measuring roughly 12 by 16 centimeters. The technique seems to be etching or engraving. It’s quite striking, isn’t it? Editor: Yes, the density of line work to describe the boars and foliage is remarkable. It feels almost claustrophobic, mirroring the animal's struggle for resources perhaps? I wonder about the paper itself, where it was sourced, and how that impacted production costs. Curator: Given Bodmer's wider artistic practice depicting North American landscapes and indigenous peoples, this subject is unexpected. Perhaps it reflects the contemporary European fascination with untamed nature and how it was being consumed through print culture. Editor: It certainly points to shifting tastes. Considering the scale of the piece, prints like these made art more accessible. I am curious if it would have found its way into scientific publications about natural history. Curator: That's an interesting angle. It speaks to the circulation and use of these images in shaping contemporary understanding of the natural world. Editor: It’s more than just an image, it is an object with its own journey. I have a better understanding of the artistic and social work around it, now.