Still Life Of A Pair Of Blackgame 1896

Archibald Thorburn painted this watercolor titled 'Still Life Of A Pair Of Blackgame' during the late 19th and early 20th century, a period when British society was deeply stratified. Thorburn, celebrated for his precise depictions of wildlife, here presents two game birds, their plumage meticulously rendered, posed as trophies of a hunt. This composition invites us to consider the complex relationship between humans and the natural world, and also to consider the social dimensions of hunting as a pastime of the British upper classes. The stillness of the birds contrasts sharply with the violence implied by their positioning. This contrast invites reflection on the ethics of hunting and the commodification of wildlife. As we stand here, we might ask ourselves what values and assumptions are embedded in such images and what role they play in shaping our understanding of both nature and society.