The European Bison 1893 - 1896

Wilhelm Kuhnert made this image of European Bison using an unknown medium. Kuhnert was known for his detailed animal studies and his images often reflect a tension between scientific observation and romantic idealization of the natural world. This image was made at a time of rising interest in natural history and conservation but also increasing colonial expansion, especially in Africa. Images like this, distributed through books and prints, played a role in shaping European attitudes toward wildlife and wilderness. The image might be read as a commentary on contemporary social structures, in which the bison represent the struggle for resources and dominance, yet the images also evokes a sense of timelessness. Historians use a wide range of resources, including scientific reports, travel writing, and colonial archives, to understand the complex meanings embedded in images like this. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.