Dragon-fly c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Henry Marsh's "Dragon-fly." Its intricate details really strike me. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Consider how this drawing might function within a larger scientific or even colonial project. These detailed illustrations often served as crucial records for categorizing and understanding the natural world. How might this image have circulated? Editor: Perhaps it was part of a larger catalogue for scientific study? It's interesting to think of it within that framework. Curator: Precisely! Think about the politics inherent in naming and classifying species. What power dynamics might be at play here? Editor: I hadn't considered that. It gives me a whole new perspective. Thanks! Curator: Of course. It’s about understanding the multiple layers of influence behind even the simplest-seeming images.