Study of a Peacock for ‘The Judgement of Paris’ c. 1826

Curator: This is William Etty's "Study of a Peacock for ‘The Judgement of Paris’," housed here at the Tate Collections. Editor: My first thought is about the visible brushstrokes – they give it a very immediate, almost tactile quality. You can really see the artist at work. Curator: And Etty was quite intentional about his use of the peacock. Beyond its obvious beauty, it's a symbol of pride, vanity, and even immortality in some cultures. Editor: I wonder about his process here. Was this a quick sketch from life? The visible layering suggests he was trying to capture the iridescence of the feathers, perhaps experimenting with different pigments. Curator: Precisely. Peacocks have been linked to Hera in Greek mythology, so the artist may have been exploring its associations with royalty and power, too. Editor: It's fascinating to consider how such a material study could evolve into something so symbolically rich. Curator: Indeed, these beautiful birds reveal the complex ways in which the physical world inspires lasting cultural symbols. Editor: It gives you a deeper respect for the labor of art, doesn't it?