Plate 6. Wild Turkey 

Editor: We're looking at "Plate 6. Wild Turkey" by John James Audubon. It's a watercolor painting of a mother turkey and her chicks in a natural setting. I'm immediately struck by the almost regal presence of the mother turkey, towering over her young. How do you interpret this work, especially regarding the way Audubon has presented the subject? Curator: Audubon wasn't simply depicting a turkey; he was crafting an emblem. The turkey, at the time, was being considered as a national symbol. Consider the pose, almost heroic. He seems to be channeling centuries of heraldry, where animals symbolized specific qualities, strengths, and lineages. This wasn't just ornithology; it was a projection of cultural aspiration. What do you notice about the way the chicks relate to this powerful maternal figure? Editor: They seem to be clustered around her protectively, some pecking at the ground, seemingly oblivious. Perhaps showing dependence and vulnerability. Curator: Precisely! It speaks volumes. Think of the broader symbolism: a nation nurturing its young, guiding them towards sustenance, defending them against threats. This image carries the weight of both national identity and primal instinct. The mother becomes a representation of the nurturing land itself. But the details—the texture of the feathers, the light in the chicks' eyes— ground the allegory. Do you find this juxtaposition compelling, the real interwoven with the ideal? Editor: Yes, definitely. It makes the painting more than just a portrait of a bird. It suggests a larger narrative. Curator: And perhaps a subtle cautionary tale as well. The ideal and the real were colliding in Audubon’s time. The wild turkey population was already dwindling due to habitat loss and hunting. His vivid depiction could also be seen as a call to protect what was uniquely American. Editor: That gives me a new appreciation for the artwork. It is beautiful but complex. Curator: Indeed. Audubon provides a looking glass, reflecting not only the natural world, but the hopes and anxieties of a young nation finding its symbolic language.