Peacocks c. 1873

Curator: This etching, simply titled "Peacocks," is by Karl Bodmer, born in 1809. It's a smaller piece, only about 9 by 6 inches. Editor: It's a hushed world. Despite the peacock, there is something serene and quiet about it. I find it comforting. Curator: Peacocks have always been associated with royalty and immortality. Do you think Bodmer intended to convey such ideas? Editor: Definitely! Look at the way the peacock perches—so regal, almost like a king surveying his domain! The dense foliage only adds to its importance. Curator: The peacock's symbolism goes back to antiquity; they were sacred to Hera in Greek mythology and became associated with resurrection in early Christianity. Editor: Amazing how these images whisper stories across time, isn't it? Bodmer captured something timeless here. Curator: Absolutely. It reminds us how much symbolism is embedded in our visual culture. Editor: Yes, a delicate dance between what we see and what we know, all within a small etching.