Moth c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Henry Marsh's drawing, simply titled "Moth." The detail in the body is incredible! I am struck by the texture achieved with what appears to be pencil or ink. What stands out to you? Curator: I find myself considering the labor involved in such precise rendering. What kind of tools were used? How does Marsh's process reflect the scientific and perhaps colonial impulse to categorize and consume the natural world? Editor: That’s a really interesting angle! It makes me think about the paper itself as a resource. Curator: Exactly. The materials and the act of creation become intertwined with broader systems of knowledge and control. Food for thought. Editor: Definitely. I'll never look at a simple insect drawing the same way again.