Hanging Ducks 

Alexander Pope created "Hanging Ducks" using oil on canvas, a traditional medium for fine art. The inherent qualities of oil paint—its ability to capture light and texture—are on full display here. Notice how Pope meticulously renders the subtle gradations of color on the ducks' plumage, and the way the light catches on the wooden planks. This wasn't just a technical exercise, though. Pope was deeply engaged with traditions of trompe-l'oeil painting, which aimed to trick the eye. In a sense, this painting is as much about the act of seeing as it is about the ducks themselves. The image reflects a society increasingly fascinated with its own ability to represent the world. It also suggests the beginning of mass production, and consumption – the way that animals are transformed into objects. Pope challenges the rigid boundaries between fine art and mere illusion, encouraging us to appreciate the skill involved in making, and the cultural context that gives these images meaning.