Animal Skulls, for "Art Anatomy" c. 1872

Curator: Immediately, I sense a delicate fragility in these skeletal remains. Editor: This is "Animal Skulls, for 'Art Anatomy'," an undated drawing by William Rimmer, found at the Harvard Art Museums. Note how Rimmer meticulously outlines each cranial structure. Curator: There's a tension between the scientific precision and the evocative power of these bone studies, especially the hippopotamus skull. It hints at a history, a life lived. Editor: Yes, the skeletal forms are numbered, almost diagrammatic, yet Rimmer's delicate lines create an almost ghostly presence. It transcends mere anatomical study, it's quite moving. Curator: Exactly! It's as if he's capturing the essence of each creature, not just its physical form, a bit like a spiritual x-ray. Editor: Perhaps through death, Rimmer sought to better understand the underlying structures of existence. Fascinating!