Deer by a Fence c. 18th century

Editor: So this is "Deer by a Fence" by Samuel Howitt. It's a black and white print that seems to capture a quiet moment in the wild. What strikes you about it? Curator: The scene is idyllic, but let's consider the historical context. Howitt was working during a period of intense enclosure, when common lands were being privatized. Does this image, seemingly celebrating nature, perhaps mask the displacement and disruption happening at the time? Editor: That's a really interesting point. I hadn't considered the political implications of a pastoral scene like this. Curator: Think about who this artwork was for, who could afford art at this time, and what values it might uphold. The fence itself is a telling detail, isn't it? What does it enclose? Editor: It makes me wonder if we're not just looking at nature, but at a constructed idea of nature, one that reinforces existing power structures. Thanks for that insight. Curator: Absolutely. It's crucial to question whose perspective is being represented and what stories remain untold.